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THE 

PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

OP 

AARON    BURR, 

DURING  HIS  RESIDENCE  OF  FOUR  YEARS 

IN    EUROPE; 

WITH 

SELECTIONS  FROM  HIS  CORRESPONDENCE. 

EDITED    BY 
MATTHEW  L.   DAVIS, 

AUTHOR    OF    "  MEMOIRS    OP    AARON    BURR,"   &C. 
IN    TWO    VOLUMES. 

VOL.    II. 


NEW    YORK: 

HARPER    &    BROTHERS,    PUBLISHERS, 

FRANKLIN    SQUARE. 

1858. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1838,  bv 

MATTHEW  L.  DAVIS 
m  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  Southern  District  oi  New-York. 


PRIVATE    JOURNAL,  &c. 


Paris,  May  4,  1810.  Arrived  at  Montmorency  at  three, 
in  a  voiture,  with  Miss  Helen  M.  Williams,  and  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  le  Harpe.  After  dinner,  promenade  the  village.  As- 
cended the  mountain.  M'lle.  Williams  much  fatigued. 

Montmorency,  6.  Cold,  northerly  wind  for  three  days 
past.  This  is  the  neighbourhood  in  which  Rousseau  lived 
and  died.  The  trees  where  was  given  the  baiser  fatal ;  the 
house  of  Eloise ;  the  walks  they  frequented.  Every  spot 
hereabout  is  consecrated  by  his  memory. 

7.  In, the  vallede  Montmorency.  At  nine  set  off  for  town. 
Cold,  chilly,  raining.  Mons.  Froissant  in  voiture  with  M'lle. 
Williams.  I,  from  choice,  having  something  to  say  to  Mr. 
S.,  in  chaise  with  "him.  Arrived  at  half  past  ten.  Off  to 
P.'s  ;  the  diablesse  has  gone  to  the  country  too.  Pure  ven- 
geance. Four  times  have  I  walked  there  (half  a  league)  to- 
day, and  at  nine  this  evening  she  had  not  arrived.  In  the 
A.  M.  went  to  make  my  peace  with  Mrs.  Robertson.  She 
is  too  good  to  harbour  malice,  and  received  me  very  kindly. 
Stayed  two  hours,  reading  over  papers  of  business  and 
talking  of  matrimony,  on  which  head  we  have  grave  quar- 
rels, for  I  am  dead  against  it.  What !  says  she,  with  tem- 
per and  astonishment,  would  you  advise  me  to,  &c.  "  Ma- 
dam, soyez  independence."  Took  soup  there,  and  parted 
friends.  On  my  return,  called  on  Captain  Lawson.  He 
was  all  in  the  bustle  of  packing  up  and  going  off  in  half  an 
hour.  At  eight,  however,  this  evening,  he  called  to  say  that 
he  should  not  go  till  six  in  the  morning  of  to-morrow,  and  I 
am  now  actuellement  writing  to  my  Juno  and  Minerva. 
Called  also  on  Swediaur. 


10  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

8.  At  ten  to  Roi  d'Westphalie,  pursuant  to  appointment  of 
Count  Furstenstein.  Waited  an  hour,  but  not  received. 
To  Chabaud's,  where  I  sat  half  an  hour.  At  four  to  Ma- 
dame P.'s.  Met  Jo?,  with  a  note  for  me.  To  the  opera  at 
seven.  An  American  had  called,  but  would  not  leave  his 
name. 

Paris,  July  7.  At  ten  called  on  Madame  P.  Stayed  half 
an  hour.  To  the  Hotel  des  Invalides  to  pay  my  respects  to 
the  Duke  de  Montebello,  who  lies  there  in  state.  Lamps 
innumerable ;  hung  with  black.  But  what  I  was  most  de- 
sirous of  seeing  was  the  process  of  getting  a  soul  out  of  pur- 
gatory. There  was  only  one  priest  at  work. 

Thence  to  the  Panorama  of  le  Battalle  de  Wagram ;  very 
beautiful,  but  not  equal  to  that  of  Gib.  which  I  saw  in  Lon- 
don. Thence  to  a  sort  of  restaurateur,  where  dined.  Here 
we  parted  for  an  hour,  Vanderlyn  to  see  Florentine,  and  I  to 
see  M'lle.  Prevost. 

8.  At  ten  to  the  club,  to  read  newspapers  and  hear  the 
news,  which  I  find  is  of  some  consequence  to  me,  if,  indeed, 
anything  be  of  any  consequence.  To  Borgo's.  Out.  To 
le  Conseil  de  Guerre  to  see  the  trial  of  Victor  Hughes.  Re- 
mained two  hours.  Home  at  four.  Dressed,  and  out  to  dine 
with  Swediaur.  The  first  time  since  the  fracture  of  the  limb. 
On  the  way  called  at  Paschaud's.  Met  Chabaud  there,  who, 
to  my  very  great  regret,  will  leave  town  on  Monday.  At 
Swediaur's  met  again  le  Due  Dirette  (or  some  name  near 
that).  He  says  he  will  make  me  to  be  heard. 

Home  at  half  past  eight.  Madame  P.  promised  to  meet 
me  here.  She  had  been  here,  but  gone. 

10.  To  Fonzi's  at  nine.  He  gave  me  a  ticket  for  the 
Athenee,  this  being  the  anniversary.  Came  home  to  dress, 
and  found  a  note  from  Madame  P.,  with  another  ticket,  and 
inviting  me  to  accompany  her.  So  ran  to  Fonzi  and  apolo- 
gized. Thence  away  to  Madame  Paschaud.  She  thought 
it  too  late,  and  the  weather  too  hot.  So  we  parted. 

Hiatus  valde  de  flendus  ! 


OF    AARON    BURR.  11 

July  19.  Called  at  Duke  d'Alberg's.  He  had  returned, 
but  reported  not  at  home.  Left  word  that  I  would  call  at 
eleven  to-morrow. 

20.  Called  on  the  duke  at  eleven.     The  porter  said  again 
that  he  was  out ;  that  he  had  reported  my  name  and  mes- 
sage, but  had  received  no  answer.     I  did  not  much  like  the 
look  of  this.     Considered  myself  as  denied,  and  thus  the 
last  hope  of  communication  cut  off. 

On  Monday,  the  9th,  called  on  Mr.  Roux  to  ask  whether 
he  would  give  me  rendezvous  to  peruse  with  me  a  memoire 
which  I  had  been  writing.  He  asked  me  to  breakfast  on 
Wednesday.  Went,  and  we  passed  several  hours  together. 
He  made  some  civil  remarks,  and  proposed  that  I  should 
write  to  the  minister  to  ask  audience,  which  I  declined. 

21.  Called  on  Duke  d'Alberg  at  ten,  and  was  received  as 
usual.      He    apologized    for   my  several   disappointments. 
Had  heard  nothing.     Looked  at  my  memorial.     Off  to  Ar- 
gaud  to  get  it  copied. 

22.  All  day  at  work  with  Argaud,  getting  my  thing  nicely 
copied.     Called  on  Madame  P.  and  Roux.     Out.     On  Ma- 
dame Robertson.     Vanderlvn  gone  to  the  country.     Dined 
chez  nous  for  the  first  time  in  a  month ;  for,  perceiving  that 
madame  meant  to  make  no  charge,  I  would  not  be  a  charge. 

23.  Up  at  five.     At  eight  to  Argaud's.     The  thing  was 
done.     Sent  messenger  with  a  note  to  the  duke  to  advise 
him,  and  that  I  would  call  at  ten.     Called.     We  went  over 
the  memoire.     He  approved.     Wrote  a  letter  to  Maret,  and 
I  took  the  packet  and  left  it.     Voila  fini.     S.  M.  will  prob- 
ably read  it  this  day. 

To  Madame  Paschaud's,  where  met  a  young  Genevois. 
Tn  the  evening  walked  with  Madame  P.  to  Luxembourg. 

26.  The  saint,  my  neighbour,  waked  me  punctually  at 
six,  as  I  had  requested.  To  the  bath,  which,  at  the  cheap- 
est rate,  costs  forty  sous.  Having  some  very  long  courses 
in  view,  took  cabriolet.  To  M.  le  Montey,  near  the  In- 
valides.  There  wrote  note  to  the  ministre  de  la  police  gen- 


12  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

eral,  asking  audience.  Mr.  le  Montey  took  charge  of  the 
note. 

To  the  Ministre  d'Exterieur  to  see  Roux  ;  not  there.  To 
M.  Roux's.  Out.  To  Pelasgie  prison,  where  I  saw  Mr. 
S.,  Mr.  L.,  of  New- York,  and  Mr.  B.  L.  has  been  there 
three  years.  My  cabriolet  man  sat  me  down  at  the  Pont 
Neuf.  Paid  him  five  livres  for  three  hours  he  had  been  in 
my  employ,  and  he  was  content.  The  morning  was  warm 
and  it  is  now  raining.  Mem.  to  tell  you  of  the  Pantheon — 
Notre  Dame — L'Abbaye  St.  Martin,  where  is  the  depot  des 
Artes  et  des  Inventiones  Mechanic. 

27.  Rose  at  seven.  Am  trying  to  get  rid  of  the  use  ot 
sugar  and  coffee  gradually.  Went  out  at  half  past  nine  to 
Roux,  whom  found  ;  but  no  news.  Cold  civility.  To  Duke 
d'Alberg.  He  has  left  town  for  three  weeks. 

Forgot.  On  Thursday  called  on  Mons.  le  Montey,  the 
prefect,  to  ask  him  to  introduce  me  to  the  new  minister  of 
police.  He  had  offered  to  introduce  me  to  the  former  (Fau- 
chet),  but  got  it  through  another  channel.  He  declined,  but 
offered  to  present  a  note  if  I  would  write  one,  asking  au- 
dience, which  is  the  mode.  Wrote  note,  and  left  it  with 
Le  Montey  to  present.  Shall  never  hear  more  of  it. 

Home  to  repose.  At  one  to  the  reading-room.  To  Ma- 
dame Pas.  Met  her  going  out.  Gave  me  a  letter  from 
Chabaud,  in  reply  to  one  I  wrote  him  a  week  ago.  He  has 
gone  home.  (Nismes.)  Ten  days  ago  wrote  also  to  Lu- 
ning.  To  Dr.  S.,  who  asked  me  to  dine,  but  was  engaged 
with  V.  D.  L.  To  Mrs.  Robertson's,  who  also  asked  me 
to  dine. 

Now,  madame,  shall  tell  you  a  secret.  Despairing  of  any 
success  in  my  project,  a  few  days  ago  asked  passport  to  go 
to  the  United  States,  which  was  refused.  Asked  one  to  go 
to  Rouen,  to  see  Mr.  Langworthy,  which  was  granted,  to  go 
and  return  for  one  year.  This  was  more  than  I  asked  or 
wanted.  Was  told  that  I  could  not  have  a  passport  to  go 
oat  of  the  empire.  Me  voila  prisonier  d'etat  at  presque 
sans  sous 


OF    AARON    BURR.  i3 

My  different  walks  to-day  amount  to  fourteen  miles,  and 
all  for  nothing.  This  evening  received  a  note  from  Swan, 
enclosing  will  for  my  advice. 

28.  This  being  the  saint's  day  (one  of  them,  for  there  is 
a  saint  for  every  name)  of  my  friend  Madame  Paschaud,  went 
to  dine  with  her.    There  were  both  families.     The  young 
Genevois,  and  two  vacant  places — guests  bidden,  but  came 
not.     We  arranged  a  party  for  Versailles,  which,  however, 
I  thought  mere  talk.     Home  at  nine. 

29.  Another  proposition  to  go  to  Versailles.     Went  to 
Madame  P.'s.    Made  a  bad  apology.    Abandoned  her  party, 
and  went  with  Vanderlyn  to  St.  Germain's.     Walked  to  the 
village,  formerly  a  strong  town,  as  defence  against  the  Nor- 
mans,  one   league   below   St.   Germain's.     Remained    all 
night. 

30.  We  stayed  to  dine,  and  then  took  pot  de  chambre 
back.    This  vile  name  is  given  to  a  one-horse  chair,  with  two 
rows  of  seats,  holding  four  or  six  inside  and  one  or  two  out- 
side.    We  were  nine  in  that  in  which  I  returned.     You  pay 
about  forty  sous  for  that  distance  (six  leagues),  but  there  is 
no  fixed  price  for  anything  in  Paris.     You  are  not  always 
safe  in  offering  half  the  asked  price.     Those  on  board  paid 
different  prices,  from  twenty  up  to  fifty  sous. 

The  forest  and  the  terras  are  the  objects  of  curiosity  at 
St.  Germain's.  On  alighting  at  the  Tuileries,  posted  over 
to  ma  belle  ami,  about  one  mile.  God,  how  cold — chilling. 
Not  having  said  that  I  should  be  out  all  night,  there  was 
much  inquiry  and  alarm.  Finally  it  was  discovered  that  I 
had  been  assassinated,  and  the  maid  had  got  all  the  particu- 
lars. La  Sanite  was  at  work  to  get  my  soul  out  of  purga- 
tory, which  she  feared  would  be  a  long  and  hard  job.  But 
what  devil  can  have  got  into  Madame  P.'s  head  ?  Called 
at  Fonzi's  on  my  way  from  P.'s.  His  warmth  and  kindness 
recovered  me  a  little  from  the  shock  of  P.'s  coldness. 

31.  I  have  been  trying,  for  some  time  past,  to  get  rid, 
gradually,  of  the  enormous  quantity  of  sugar  which  I  use 


14  PRIVATE   JOURNAL 

(five  francs,  equal  to  one  silver  dollar  per  pound) ;  but,  find- 
ing I  made  no  progress,  have  given  it  up  altogether,  and  this 
morning  took  tea,  sans  sucre.  Doing  unpleasant  things 
gradually  is  very  great  folly  ;  a  protracted  torment. 

TO    MADAME    LELANDE. 

Paris,  May  2, 1810. 

And  so,  my  dear  friend,  you  think  it  possible  that  I  may 
have  forgotten  you,  and  that  it  may  be  necessary  to  refresh 
my  memory  by  dates  and  facts.  I  beg,  madam,  that  you 
will  do  yourself  the  justice  to  believe  that  the  impressions 
you  make  are  not  so  transient. 

On  my  arrival  in  London  about  two  years  ago,  my  first 
inquiry  was  for  you,  not  having  then  heard  of  your  change 
of  name  and  residence*  They  knew  nothing  of  you  at  Half- 
moon-street  ;  but  I  heard  that  your  mother  was  in  London, 
and,  after  much  inquiry,  found  her.  She  gave  me  your  his- 
tory and  your  address,  and,  on  my  arrival  on  the  Continent, 
if  I  could  have  hoped  that  you  were  still  at  Rouen,  I  should 
have  written  to  you,  not  to  recall  myself  to  your  recollection, 
for  I  knew  too  well  the  constancy  of  female  friendships,  but 
to  apprize  you  of  my  existence  and  my  movements,  and  to 
concert  the  means  of  seeing  you.  The  first  direct  informa- 
tion I  could  acquire  of  you  was  from  under  your  own  hand, 
in  your  very  kind  letter  by  Mr.  Oucken,  for  which  I  owe  you 
a  thousand  thanks.  I  thank  you,  also,  for  the  introduction 
of  Mr.  Oucken.  He  is  a  very  amiable  young  man,  and  has 
contributed  to  my  amusement  here.  But  now  to  the  sub- 
jects of  your  letter. 

Rouen  is  not  in  my  way  to  any  place  that  I  .propose  to 
visit ;  but  it  is  in  my  way  to  you,  and  I  shall  certainly  see 
you  there  in  a  few«days,  if  something,  not  now  foreseen, 
should  not  prevent.  There  will  be  time,  however,  to  receive 
your  acknowledgment  of  this,  and  notice  of  the  health  of 
yourself  and  family. 

In  the  mean  time,  kiss  your  little  girl  for  me,  and  offer  my 


OF    AARON    BURR.  15 

respectful  compliments  to  Mr.  Lelande.  I  promise  myself 
great  pleasure  in  knowing  him  personally.  Poor  Theodosia, 
I  liked  to  have  forgotten  her.  Five  or  six  years  ago  she  mar- 
ried Mr.  Alston,  of  South  Carolina,  a  young  man  of  fortune, 
and  greatly  distinguished  by  his  eloquence  and  talents.  She 
has  one  child ;  a  healthy,  rugged  boy.  Of  Dr.  Brown's  family 
we  will  talk  when  we  meet.  He,  his  wife,  and  fifty  children 
were  all  well  when  I  left  America. 

A.  BURR. 

TO    MADAME    LELANDE. 

Paris,  May  9,  1810. 

Since  writing  my  letter  to  you  of  the  2d  inst.,  I  have 
been  to  the  Prefecture  de  Police  to  demand  passport.  The 
prefect  has  informed  me  that  he  must  submit  the  application 
to  the  minister,  and  that  the  earliest  hour  that  any  decision 
can  be  had  will  be  Friday,  three  P.  M.  Of  my  visit,  there- 
fore, nothing  further  can  now  be  resolved. 

A.  BURR. 


TO    MADAME 


Paris,  May  9, 1810. 

It  was  very  kind  to  answer  me  so  soon.  I  think  to  leave 
this  in  the  diligence  on  Friday  morning,  and  to  have  the  hon- 
our of  kissing  your  hand  the  same  day  or  evening ;  but,  not 
having  yet  secured  a  seat  nor  obtained  a  passport,  it  is  pos- 
sible there  may  be  further  delay.  "  A  little  room  looking 
into  the  garden,"  and  under  the  same  roof  with  you — nothing 
could  be  more  alluring.  Nevertheless,  my  dear  friend,  you 
must  pardon  me  if  I  should  prefer  a  bed  at  an  inn,  for  which 
I  will  give  you  twenty  good  reasons  when  we  meet.  Any- 
thing but  sleep  with  you.  In  the  mean  time,  and  at  all  times, 

A.  BURR. 


16  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 


TO    MADAME 


Paris,  May  17, 1810. 

Since  writing  to  you  I  made  an  attempt,  through  a  friend, 
to  get  a  revocation  of  that  very  unexpected  refusal ;  but, 
having  heard  nothing  further  on  the  subject,  presume  that 
it  is  irrevocable.  If  no  explanation  should  be  received  within 
the  current  week,  I  shall  demand  a  passport  to  leave  the 
country.  It  is  afflicting,  my  dear  friend,  to  be  so  near  you 
and  to  be  denied  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  you.  Little  did 
I  imagine  that  my  movements  were  of  any  notice  ;  very  lit- 
tle am  I  flattered  with  the  sort  of  importance  which  this  in- 
cident announces. 

I  brought  with  me,  all  this  long  way,  your  two  pictures 
and  that  of  L. ;  the  latter  I  leave  with  Madame  Pelough, 
Rue  du  Croissant,  No.  7.,  sealed  up,  addressed  to  you,  and 
subject  to  your  order.  The  others  you  must  allow  me  to 
keep  for  the  present.  If  your  child  should  grow  up  and 
survive  you,  it  may  demand  one  ;  the  finished  one.  It  will 
be  found  in  the  hands  of  Theodosia.  Her  address  is  Theo- 
dosia  B.  Alston,  Georgetown,  South  Carolina. 

Don't  look  so  grave,  my  dear  madam ;  one  need  not  die 
offhand  because  one  makes  a  will.  But  now  tell  me,  did 
I  think  of  you  when  I  left  America  ?  God  bless  and  pros- 
per thee.  A.  BURR. 

MR.   LE    MONTEY   TO    MR.   STONE. 

Paris,  May  19, 1810. 

What  I  had  foreseen,  my  dear  Stone,  has  come  to  pass. 
I  have  spoken  to  the  minister  concerning  Col.  Burr,  and,  as 
he  does  not  understand  English,  he  has  not  noticed  his  letter, 
but  he  has  authorized  me  to  present  it  to  him.  If  agreeable 
to  Col.  Burr,  and  he  will  call  on  me  next  Thursday  at  noon, 
we  will  go  together  to  his  excellency's.  Farewell.  Pre- 
sent my  respects  to  Miss  Williams.  LE  MONTEY. 

I  have  not  named  an  earlier  day  for  Mr.  Burr,  because  I 
!>hall  not  return  from  the  country  before  Wednesday. 


OF  AARON  BURR. 


TO  LE  DUG  D  OTRANTE. 

Paris,  May  30,  1810. 

Mr.  Burr  has  the  honour  to  transmit  herewith  the  sheet 
lately  submitted,  together  with  three  supplementary  notes. 
A  fourth,  on  the  Canadas  and  Nova  Scotia,  will  be  offered, 
if  desired. 

He  asks  the  favour  of  an  audience  of  his  excellency  le 
Due  d'Otrante,  for  the  purpose  of  making  a  few  verbal  ex- 
planations, and  of  reviewing  the  translation. 

Lest  the  handwriting  should  not  be  legible  to  the  trans- 
lator, Mr.  Burr  offers  to  assist  him  in  the  reading,  and  will, 
for  this  purpose,  meet  him  at  any  hour  and  place  he  may 
name.  Mr.  Burr  will  wait,  to  receive  a  message  from  him, 
at  Paschaud's  bookstore,  Rue  des  Petites  Augustins,  No.  3. 

He  takes  the  liberty  of  presenting  assurances  of  his  pro- 
found consideration  and  respect.  A.  BURR. 


TO    MADAME 


Paris,  June  20, 1810. 

Your  dear  little  note  is  received  at  eight  o'clock  this  even- 
ing. Being  engaged  for  Friday  and  Saturday,  it  must  be 
to-morrow.  To-morrow,  therefore,  I  will  receive  your 
orders  at  five.  You  cannot  flatter  or  oblige  me  more  than 
by  rendering  me  useful  to  you ;  being  at  all  times  and  in 
all  places  A.  BURR. 

FROM    ERICH   BOLLMAN. 

Philadelphia,  June  24,  1810. 

Your  letter  of  the  fourteenth  of  April  is  received ;  the 
only  one  that  has  reached  me  in  a  long  time.  I  regret  that 
you  have  not  better  news  to  communicate.  As  for  myself, 
I  have  experienced  every  kind  of  annoyance  and  trouble. 
It  is  scarcely  possible  to  be  worse.  I  am  sacrificing  my 
life,  but  there  is  no  means  of  escape  from  this  state  of 
misery 


18  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

I  scarcely  know  what  to  say  on  the  subject  of  political 
news.  The  imbecility  of  Congress  is  at  its  height.  But 
the  people  are  beginning  to  be  accustomed  to  this  imbecility 
within,  and  that  contempt  without  which  is  the  natural  con- 
sequence. 

No  man  of  real  talents  shows  himself.  The  democratic 
party  is  divided.  The  editor  of  the  Aurora,  the  organ  of 
Mr.  Jefferson,  attacks  Mr.  Gallatin  and  John  Randolph  as 
conspiring  against  the  public  good,  and  as  dangerously  am- 
bitious. 

The  same  paper  continues  its  defence  of  Wilkinson,  who 
has  taken  a  young  wife,  arid  is  now  at  Washington,  despised 
by  almost  everybody,  yet  none  dare  to  do  anything  with 
him. 

Congress  is  unwilling  to  renew  the  charter  of  the  Bank 
of  the  United  States,  which  expires  in  the  month  of  March 
next.  Their  continued  refusal  at  the  next  session  may  be 
productive  of  serious  consequences. 

I  shall  be  pleased  to  see  you.  The  Aurora  says  you  are 
employed  by  the  emperor.  The  man  with  whom  I  flattered 
myself,  at  Baltimore,  I  should  one  day  make  your  peace — 
Does  he  remember  me  ?  You  will  be  expected  here  in  the 
spring.  The  Advocate  announces  your  arrival,  but  that  your 
hopes  have  been  frustrated.  ERICH  BOLLMAN. 

TO    MONS.    LUNING. 

Paris,  July  14,  1810. 

Your  very  kind  letter,  with  the  little  box,  overtook  me  at 
Hanover.  It  was  impossible  to  have  imagined  anything 
more  acceptable  than  that  delicious  Caravan  tea.  It  re- 
freshed me  at  many  a  weary  hour,  and  I  never  tasted  it 
without  remembering  the  good-will  which  accompanied  it. 
The  last  of  it  was  drank  in  Paris,  and  I  have  in  vain  hunted 
the  city  over  for  anything  like  it. 

Your  friend  Menzzer  devoted  himself  to  my  amusement, 
and  rendered  my  stay  at  Hanover  very  pleasant.  The  gov- 


OF  AARON  BURR.  19 

ernor,  too,  Salicetti,  was  extremely  civil  to  me.  At  Bruns- 
wick and  Gbttingen  I  was  greatly  entertained  by  the  learned 
men  with  which  those  cities  abound. 

I  passed  through  Cassel,  Eisenach,  Gotha,  Weimar,  and 
thence  to  Frankfort,  where  I  was  detained  three  weeks 
waiting  for  a  passport.  Throughout  Germany  I  was  re- 
ceived with  hospitality  and  kindness.  What  I  never  sus- 
pected, and  what  I  am  very  proud  to  learn,  is,  that  I  am  a 
German  ;  at  least,  that  my  ancestors  were.  I  have  relations 
of  the  name  of  Burr  in  Wurtemburg,  in  Frankfort,  and 
Rheinfelden,  who  have  all  written  to  me  and  claimed  the 
affinity.  I  hope  to  discover,  by-and-by,  that  you  and  I  are 
cousins  too. 

Now  I  would  tell  you,  if  I  knew  myself,  where  I  am 
going,  and  when.  But,  when  I  shall  receive  your  answer  to 
thii,  I  will  tell  you  all  I  do  know,  and  I  promise  you  that 
I  will  answer  you  punctually  on  the  very  day  your  letter 
may  be  received.  Address  your  letter  to  Mons.  J.  J.  Pas- 
chaud,  libraire,  No.  3  Rue  des  Petites  Augustins,  a  Paris, 
with  or  without  an  envelope,  and  in  the  inside  only  to  me. 
If  he  should  open  it,  I  engage  he  will  not  read  a  sentence  of 
it ;  and  if  he  should,  there  would  be  no  harm  done. 

Tell  me  all  you  know  of  Diederic.  I  think  of  him  every 
day,  and  sometimes  all  the  day  long.  If  you  have  seen  Mr. 
Wickelhausen,  of  Bremen,  pray  inform  me  if  he  is  the  gen- 
tleman whom  I  knew  in  America.  Give  me  the  address  of 
your  agent  in  this  city,  if  you  have  one  here,  and,  if  not,  of 
any  person  who  will  take  charge  of  a  small  parcel  to  you. 

Preserve  me  in  the  recollection  of  your  lovely  family,  and 
accept  assurances  of  my  affectionate  and  respectful  regards. 

A.  BURR. 

FROM    CHABAUD. 

Geneva,  July  22,  1810. 

I  earnestly  wish  that  it  depended  solely  on  me  to  procure 
you  the  passport  you  seek.  I  am  willing  to  write  such  a  lettei 


20  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

as  you  wish ;  but  a  vague  letter  would  be  of  no  service.  Must 
I  enter  into  details  with  the  minister  ?  Must  I  speak  to  him  of 
the  refusal  to  which  you  have  been  subjected  ?  This  is  what 
has  induced  me  to  defer  sending  the  letter.  In  addition  to 
which,  I  am  but  partially  acquainted  with  him.  Two  words 
in  a  personal  interview  are  better  than  ten  letters  in  an 
affair  of  this  nature.  And  then  you  will  not  be  made  ac- 
quainted with  the  motives  on  which  the  refusal  was  based ; 
whether  it  is  in  consequence  of  an  adoption  of  a  general  rule, 
or  a  particular  measure.  I  have  determined  to  await  the 
receipt  of  another  letter,  which  I  hope  will  be  by  return 
of  mail,  at  Nismes,  where  I  shall  be  in  the  course  of  a 
few  days. 

I  shall  always  congratulate  myself  on  having  made  your 
acquaintance,  and  shall  be  happy  and  gratified  when  you 
place  me  in  a  situation  that  will  enable  me  to  prove  to  you 
my  high  consideration  and  sincere  attachment. 

CHABAUD. 

COPY. 

Chabaud  de  la  Tour,  Knight  of  the  Empire,  Member  of  the 
Legislative  Body,  to  His  Excellency  my  Lord  Duke  of 
Rovigo,  Minister  of  the  General  Police,  fyc. 

La  Tour,  near  Nismes,  August  19,  1810. 

On  leaving  Paris  I  learned  from  Colonel  Burr  that  he  had 
been  refused  a  passport  for  the  United  States,  and  that  the 
refusal  rendered  his  position  a  most  embarrassing  one.  I 
shall  not  inquire  into  the  motives  which  have  led  to  this 
refusal ;  but  I  owe  it  to  truth  to  declare  to  your  excellency 
that,  having  frequently  met  with  Col.  Burr,  conversed  with 
him,  and  been  made  acquainted  with  the  object  of  his  jour- 
ney to  France,  I  have  always  noticed  his  aversion  to  the 
English,  and  his  earnest  desire  to  give  to  his  majesty  and  to 
France  proofs  of  his  zeal  and  devotion. 

He  has  had  audience  with  several  of  your  colleagues,  and 
I  should  be  grateful,  my  lord,  if  you  would  deign  to  grant 


OF    AARON    BURR.  21 

•» 

him  one,  which  I  feel  certain  would  ensure  to  him  the  inter- 
est and  kind  offices  of  your  excellency.  CHABAUD. 

CHABAUD    TO    COL.     BURR. 

La  Tour,  near  Nismes,  August  19,  1810. 

Enclosed  is  the  letter  you  request  for  his  excellency  the 
minister  of  police.  I  sincerely  hope  that  it  may  prove  use- 
ful to  you.  I  think  that  the  refusal  of  a  passport  to  your 
country,  to  which  you  have  been  subjected,  is  but  a  moment- 
ary one,  and  the  result  of  the  adoption  of  some  general 
measure. 

Should  you  not  return  to  America,  and  conclude  to  visit 
the  different  parts  of  our  country,  I  should  be  pleased  to  see 
you,  and  renew  the  assurances  of  my  esteem  and  high  con- 
sideration. CHABAUD. 

TO    MONS.    LUNING. 

Paris,  August  1, 1810. 

I  herewith  transmit  you  a  copy  of  my  letter,  under  date  of 
the  14th  July,  which  was  put  into  the  postoffice  on  that  day. 
Not  having  heard  from  you,  I  am  apprehensive  that  it  has 
not  had  the  good  fortune  to  have  come  to  your  hands.  This 
will  go  under  cover  to  your  friend  at  Bremen.  I  have  only 
to  repeat  the  inquiries,  particularly  respecting  Diederic  and 
Wickelhausen.  I  wish  also  to  know  whether  he  (Wickel- 
hausen)  has  arrv  recollection  of  me.  A.  BURR. 


TO    MADAME 


Paris,  July  30,  1810. 

It  is  impossible,  my  dear  friend,  that  I  can  ever  be  seri- 
ously angry  with  you,  because  I  know  the  invariable  and 
inexhaustible  goodness  of  your  heart ;  but  it  is  true  that  I 
was  very  much  hurt  by  the  unmerited  impeachment  of  my 
candour.  As  I  had  not  put  myself  in  the  list  of  competition 
with  your  suiters,  though  always  your  very  great  admirer 
and  friend,  I  thought  myself  exempt  from  the  suspicion  of 


22  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

insincerity,  and  I  therefore  felt  your  reproach  with  perhaps 
too  much  poignancy. 

The  questions  I  had  inserted  in  your  letter  are  those  you 
had  often  asked  me,  and  which  I  had  not  sufficient  confi- 
dence in  my  recollection  of  English  law  to  answer  with 
decision,  and,  therefore,  I  thought  you  could  not  do  better 
than  to  consult  the  gentleman  who  was  conversant  in  your 
affairs,  and  in  whose  judgment  you  appeared  to  rely.  I  can 
never  be  guilty  of  the  indelicacy  of  obtruding  advice  where 
it  is  not  sought,  still  less  of  attempting  to  control  your 
conduct. 

But,  as  we  are  on  our  confessions,  I  must  acknowledge 
that  I  had  not  got  many  steps  from  your  house  before  I  re- 
flected that  you  had  told  me  that  your  mind  was  agitated  ; 
that,  under  such  circumstances,  we  have  a  claim  on  the  indul- 
gence of  our  friends ;  that  the  sally  at  me,  au  fond,  meant 
nothing  ;  that  I  ought  to  have  parried  it  with  good-humour, 
and  that  I  had  been  too  abrupt,  and  I  should  actually  have 
returned  to  have  made  peace  if  you  had  been  alone.  The 
thing  has  hung  like  a  weight  upon  my  spirits  all  day. 

A.  BURR. 

JOURNAL. 

Paris,  August  2,1810.  ToSwediaur's,  where  met  Madame 
Paschaud,  being  the  first  time  I  have  seen  her  since  my 
miraculous  reception  on  Monday.  We  were  very  civil,  but 
no  more.  She  went  off  with  her  friend,  and  I  to  Crede's  ; 
thence  to  Vanderlyn's  to  dine.  He  was  with  his  model,  who 
is  spoiled  for  that  business,  being  enceinte.  After  dinner  to 
Rue  Dore,  to  find  Howseal,  a  German  interpreter,  whom 
found,  and  left  with  him  for  translation  my  letter  from 
cousin  J.  G.  Burr.  Thence  home. 

9.  On  Friday,  the  third,  wrote  several  letters.  Among 

others  to  Mr. (I'll  think  of  his  name  presently),  of 

Hamburgh.  On  the  fourth  passed  the  day  at  the  Pelasgie 
prison,  aiding  Mr.  S.  to  make  his  will.  On  Sunday,  the  fifth; 


OF    AARON    BURR.  23 

to  Versailles,  with  Fonzi,  Vanderlyn,  and  Hernandez.  Rode 
five  leagues.  Hired  a  coach  for  fourteen  livres  to  take  us 
there  and  back.  This  and  dinner  made  our  expenses  six 
francs  ten  sous  each.  The  gardens  at  Versailles  are  in  a 
style  of  magnificence  surpassing  anything  I  have  seen. 
Returned  the  same  evening. 

Went,  forgot  what  evening,  to  see  Mr.  Pierre's  theatre 
Mechanique,  and  was  much  amused.  He  exhibits,  like  a 
scene  in  a  theatre,  a  town,  castle,  or  remarkable  place,  painted 
in  the  manner  of  panorama ;  but  you  see  carriages  of  all 
sorts,  horses,  men,  women,  children,  dogs,  cattle,  all  in  motion 
like  real  life.  Boats  rowing  and  sailing.  Sportsmen  shoot 
ducks,  and  their  dogs  jump  out  of  the  boat,  swim  to  the  killed 
duck,  and  bring  him  on  board.  How  Gampy  would  laugh 
and  stare. 

Another  evening  to  the  cosmorama,  which  is  pictures  (seen 
through  camera  obscura)  of  various  antiquities — Balbec,  the 
Coliseum  of  Rome,  and  one  other,  were  pretty  well  ex- 
ecuted. The  rest  execrable. 

On  Monday,  the  sixth,  called  on  Mr.  Stone  at  his  manufac- 
tory. He  asked  me  to  dine  that  day,  which  declined ;  for 
Wednesday,  to  which,  after  some  remonstrance,  agreed. 
Met  there  Miss  Williams  and  le  bon  Marron,  president  de 
consistoire,*  who  was  extremely  civtf.  He  engaged  me  to 
go  with  him  the  next  day  to  hear  a  trial  which  excites  much 
interest.  Cards.  Lost  thirty  sous.  Home  at  eleven. 
Found  note  from  Vanderlyn,  who  had  been  waiting  for  me 
an  hour  and  gone  off. 

This  day  with  Mr.  Marron  to  the  court.  Heard  two 
lawyers.  Was  well  pleased,  much  gratified,  but  cannot  de- 
tail. At  the  court  met  General  Walterstoff.  Note  from 
Mrs.  Robertson  to  dine,  which  I  declined.  Another  note 
in  the  evening  to  dine  on  Saturday  or  Monday.  Engaged 
for  Monday. 

But  the  most  important  event  of  this  month  is  the  hegira 

*  President  of  the  Protestant  Clergy  of  Paris. 
VOL.  II.  2 


24  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

of  Madame  Paschaud,  who  has  actually  gone  to  join  her  hus- 
band at  Geneva.  On  Friday  last,  the  seventh,  received  mes- 
sage to  dine  with  her  that  day,  as  she  should  leave  town  next 
morning.  Dined  there,  but  was  grave,  silent,  appetiteless, 
and  without  affectation.  Some  engage,  forgot  what,  called 
me  away  early;  but  at  ten  returned.  She  was  out.  Went 
at  six  next  morning.  She  had  gone  to  the  bath.  Followed 
and  waited  till  she  came  out.  Walked  a  few  minutes  in  the 
garden,  and  had  explanations,  which  were  on  both  sides  de- 
clared satisfactory,  and  we  made  friends  ;  but  we  are  not 
such  friends  as  we  were.  Two  minutes  ago  went  with  her 
to  the  diligence-office  and  saw  her  off.  Adieu,  ma  belle  ami ! 

11.  At  ten  to  Marron's,  and  got  the  address  of  Valkenaer, 
to  whom  had  letter  from  Stricke,  but  supposed  him  (Val- 
kenaer) to  be  at  Amsterdam.     V.  is  a  brave,  frank,  intelligent 
man.     Sat  an  hour,  and  we  were  apparently  equally  well 
amused.     To  Stone's  manufactory  to  get  Humboldt's  work, 
of  which  he  promised  me  the  loan.     Out.     To  Mons.  le 
Montey's  to  see  what  had  been  done  about  my  note  to  the 
duke,  minister  of  police.     It   had  been   delivered,  but  no 
answer.     To  Mons.  Roux.     He  advises  me  to  write  to  the 
Duke  de  Gadore  about  the  refusal  of  passport,  which  I  shall 
do.     Letter  from  Swan  enclosing  his  will  for  further  amend- 
ment.    Dampier's  Voyage  or  Travels.     Pray  read  it.     I  like 
much  his  manner. 

12.  Dined  at  Fonzi's,  where  was  a  garcon  who  imitated 
dogs,  cats,  &c.,  and  played  very  prettily  on  a  little  flute  (fla- 
gelet)  about  six  inches  long.     He  says  the  beautiful  women 
of  France  are  on  the  Rhone,  from  Lyons  down  ;  particularly 
at  Valence,  &c.     Home  at  nine. 

15.  To  Valkenaer's  to  breakfast.  Met  there  a  very  inter- 
esting Hollandois,just  arrived  from  Amsterdam.  His  name 
did  not  learn.  Also  Hollandois,  formerly  a  foreign  minister. 
The  latter  came  to  meet  me  and  to  talk  ;  but  I  was  obliged 
to  disappoint  them,  having  made  an  engagement.  The 
breakfast  was  Holland ;  that  is,  American,  tea,  bread,  but- 


OF    AARON    BURR.  25 

ler,  slices  of  ham.  Off  at  eleven,  and  to  St.  Pelasgie,  about 
three  and  a  half  miles.  Was  engaged  an  hour  in  correct- 
ing Swan's  will.  Went  to  meet  M'Lane,  who  is  out  of 
prison,  and  expressed  a  great  desire  to  see  me.  He  did  not 
come. 

Took  a  stroll  through  the  Tuileries  to  see  what  was 
doing,  this  being  the  emperor's  jour  de  fete  of  saint's  day- 
The  morning  was  ushered  in  by  cannon.  Many  people  in 
the  gardens.  Few  fashionables.  Home  at  six.  At  seven 
came  in  Vanderlyn,  and  we  went  again  to  the  Tuileries  to 
see  the  illumination.  Rather  faint.  The  musicians  in  the 
orchestra  played  several  pieces.  The  emperor  appeared,  as 
was  said,  in  the  balcony,  but,  that  not  being  lighted,  we  could 
not  distinguish  him  ;  but  there  were  vive  Pempereur. 

16.  At  twelve  to  le  bureau  du  secretariat  de  la  police 
general,  to  meet  there  Mons.  la  Montey,  who  was  to  intro- 
duce me  to  Mr.  Saugnier,  le  secretaire.  Met  him,  and  was 
introduced,  and  urged  my  demand  for  passport  to  go  to  the 
United  States.  He  advised  me  to  write  to  the  minister,  and 
offered  to  hand  him  the  letter,  which  I  will  do,  but  have  lit- 
tle hopes. 

This  morning  received  a  letter  from  Mr.  Edward  Gns- 
wold,  in  reply  to  one  I  wrote  about  ten  days  ago  about 
money,  which  I  had  good  reason  to  believe  he  would  lend 
me,  and  which  I  begin  to  want.  He  cannot !  This  matter 
is  rather  grave.  Winter  approaches.  No  prospect  of  hav- 
ing leave  to  quit  the  empire,  and  still  less  of  any  means  of 
living  in  it.  So  must  economize  most  rigidly  my  few  re- 
maining louis.  Met  M'Lane  to-day. 

Am  reading  Robins's  Travels  in  Florida,  Louisiana,  the 
Mississippi,  &c.  We  have  had  about  a  fortnight  of  raw, 
chilly,  uncomfortable  weather ;  raining  almost  daily.  I 
should  be  glad  of  a  good  fire,  but  see  no  prospect.  I  shall 
finish  Robins  to-morrow,  three  vols.  octavo. 

18.  Dine  at  Fonzi's.  A  large  party.  Home  at  nine.  La 
Jeanette  sat  an  hour  telling  her  misfortunes.  La  m'lle. 


26  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

prays  for  me,  so  that  my  soul  is  in  a  good  way.  She  is  a 
devotee.  Goes  daily  to  mass,  and  fills  up  the  interval  with 
cards.  Forgot  to  say  that  I  had  yesterday  a  letter  from 
Luning,  pere,  and  to-day  another  from  our  cousin,  John  G. 
Burr,  giving  me  the  history  of  his  family,  which  will  give 
me  some  trouble  to  translate,  and  then  to  reply  in  German. 
You  did  not  know  before  I  told  you,  and  I  have  not  told  you 
yet,  that  you  are  a  Dutchman. 

But,  alas  !  in  my  affairs  no  advance  ;  no  passport ;  no 
money. 

Erotika  Biblion,  par  Mirabeau,  one  volume  Paris,  1801  ; 
a  very  whimsical  book,  which  I  borrowed  of  Madame  F., 
and  read  last  week. 

20.  Called  on  the  Duke  d'Alberg.  He  returned  yester- 
day, but  had  walked  out.  To  Madame  Robertson's,  where 
stayed  an  hour.  She  engaged  me  to  dine  to-morrow. 
Called  at  the  bureau,  where  found  Roux.  No  answer  from 
the  minister  about  passport.  Changed  five  guineas,  at 
twenty-six  francs  eight  sous. 

24.  Wrote  this  morning  to  Duke  Bassano,  again  demand- 
ing passport.  To  Roux  to  press  the  same  demand  on  Duke 
de  Cadore.  R.  is  always  civil.  He  had  "  received  no  an- 
swer" from  the  duke  (this  is  the  diplomatic  style  of  nega- 
tion) ;  but  promised  to  state  my  further  reasons  and  demand. 
Thence  to  Saugnier,  le  secretarie  de  la  police  general.  Out. 
Left,  enclosed  to  him,  my  letter,  which  is  in  English,  to 
Bassano. 

26.  Got  breakfast  at  seven,  and  went  at  eight  to  the  ren- 
dezvous agreed  on  by  Hernandez  and  V.,  about  half  a  league. 
They  had  just  gone  off  to  St.  Germain's,  whither  I  was  to 
have  gone  with  them  if  they  would  have  stayed  till  twelve. 
Nevertheless,  was  glad  they  were  gone,  for  the  jaunt  would 
have  cost  me  eight  livres.  Home,  and,  after  changing  and 
refreshing  for  an  hour,  for  it  is  very  warm,  to  the  Duke 
d'Alberg.  Very  lucky  I  went,  for  he  had  been  seeking  me, 
and  had  lost  my  address.  Offered  to  take  me  to  the  Duke 


OF  AARON  BUUR.  27 

Rovigo,  to  whom  I  have  been  trying  these  eight  weeks  to 
get  access.  The  duke  wrote  a  letter,  demanding  audience 
for  us,  which  letter  I  took  and  left  at  Rovigo's.  I  suspect 
that  his  majesty  begins  to  think  of  me  and  my  projects. 
From  D'Alberg's  to  Madame  Robertson's,  where  an  hour. 
Took  a  second  breakfast  of  ham,  fruit,  wine.  Thence  to 
Saugnier's.  He  refused  to  see  me,  but  sent  word  by  the 
servant  that  he  had  no  answer  to  my  letter.  Home  at  two. 
The  Duke  d'Alberg  having  requested  another  copy  of  my 
memoir,  went  out  at  five  to  get  Argaud  to  make  me  another 
copy.  He  had  moved  about  four  or  five  miles  off.  So  came 
home.  Then  to  Argaud's ;  gave  him  my  memorial,  with 
some  additional  notes,  which  I  have  made  to-day,  and  he 
promised  to  bring  me  a  copy  on  Tuesday  morning.  Came 
home  through  the  Jardin  des  Plantes  and  the  Boulevards.  So 
that  I  have  walked  near  twenty  miles  to-day,  and  am  not  the 
least  fatigued.  I  grudged  Gamp,  a  coach  on  account  of  yes- 
terday's extravagance.  La  Jeanette  brought  me  wine,  bread, 
and  melon  to  refresh.  Now  I  have  to  write  a  long  letter  of 
business. 

30.  Sent  my  memorial  to  M.  Pelough,  and  he  had  gone 
out.     Dressed  for  the  intended  visit  to  Rovigo.     There  be- 
ing a  defect  in  the  work*  of  Fonzi,  and  being  without  rny 
memorial,  resolved  to  postpone  the  visit  till  to-morrow.     On 
my  way  home  called  at  the  Lion,  and  then  on  S.,  who  had 
a  letter  for  me.     It  is  from  Bollman.     The  only  one  from 
the  United  States  since  October  last. 

31.  At  twelve  dressed,  and  to  the  Duke  Rovigo's,  armed 
with  his  note  to  D'Alberg.     The  huissier  told  me  that  there 
were  a  great  number  of  personages  waiting  for  audience. 
That  it  would  be  very  late  before  I  could  be  received,  and 
recommended  me  to  come  to-morrow  at  one. 

*  New  artificial  teeth.    Fonzi  was  his  dentist. 

B2 


28  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 


TO    J.    G.    BURR. 

•  Pans,  August  1,  1810. 

Your  letter  of  the  31st  December  reached  me  at  this 
place  some  weeks  ago.  I  regret  that  I  can  give  you  no  in- 
formation respecting  the  gentleman  of  our  name  about  whom 
you  inquire ;  but  it  has  afforded  me  very  great  pleasure  to 
learn  that  the  family  of  Burr  still  exists  in  Germany.  My 
ancestors  were  German.  They  removed  more  than  a  cen- 
tury ago  to  America,  where  I  was  born,  and  where  the  family 
and  name  are  now  numerous,  and  generally  prosperous ;  but, 
being  settled  among  the  English,  we  have  totally  lost  the 
German  language.  My  daughter,  who  is  my  only  child,  is, 
I  believe,  the  only  person  of  the  name  in  America  who  speaks 
and  understands  it. 

If  I  had  received  your  letter  before  leaving  Hanover,  I 
should  have  passed  through  Heilborn  to  have  made  person- 
al acquaintance  with  yourself  and  family ;  and  if  I  should 
again  travel  through  Germany,  I  shall  most  certainly  make 
you  a  visit.  In  the  mean  time,  if  you  should  favour  me  with 
another  letter,  you  would  greatly  oblige  me  by  giving  me 
the  names  of  your  daughters,  and  any  particulars  you  may 
possess  respecting  the  family  of  Burr  in  Germany. 

I  thank  you  for  the  many  obliging  expressions  contained  in 
your  letter.  It  will  give  me  pleasure  while  here,  or  when  in 
America,  to  hear  from  you,  or  to  be  in  any  way  useful  to 
you  or  your  friends.  A.  BURR. 

TO    MONS.  J.    MENZZER. 

Paris,  August  2,  1810. 

Your  little  note,  my  dear  sir,  made  me  a  very  long  jour- 
ney, but  at  length  overtook  me  in  this  city.  It  gave  me 
very  great  pleasure  to  hear  from  you,  and  I  am  extremely 
flattered  by  the  recollection  of  Mrs.  Menzzer  and  Mrs.  Kar- 
seboom.  Tell  Mrs.  K.  that  I  have  seen  nothing  in  Paris  to 
alter  my  opinion  of  her  charms. 


OF    AARON    BURR.  29 

Do  me  the  favour  to  forward  the  enclosed  to  our  friend 
Luning.  I  have  written  to  him  by  the  mail,  but,  having  no 
answer,  fear  the  letter  has  not  reached  him.  I  shall  remain 
here  some  weeks,  perhaps  months ;  but  I  hope  to  see  you 
again  before  leaving  the  Continent ;  whether  or  not,  be  as- 
sured that  I  am,  &c.,  A.  BURR. 

TO    EDWARD    GRISWOLD. 

Paris,  August  3,  1810. 

I  came  here  on  the  16th  of  February  with  intention  to 
stay  about  a  month,  a1\d  brought  with  me  money  sufficient 
to  defray  my  expenses  and  to  take  me  to  the  United  States, 
whither  it  was  my  intention  immediately  to  return  ;  but  a  pass- 
port to  leave  the  empire  has  been  denied  me,  and  hitherto  I 
have  been  unable  to  obtain  it,  though  I  have  reason  to  hope 
that  this  refusal  will  not  be  permanent.  My  stock  of  money 
is  so  nearly  exhausted,  that,  if  passport  should  be  allowed 
me  to-day,  I  could  not  profit  of  it.  Under  these  circum- 
stances I  venture  to  ask  your  aid. 

If  consistent  with  your  convenience  to  advance  me  any 
sum,  from  six  hundred  to  one  thousand  dollars,  I  would  re- 
pay it  on  my  arrival  in  the  United  States.  But  as  that  is  a 
contingency  of  some  uncertainty,  I  would  give  you  an  order 
on  ,  by  whom  it  would  most  certainly  be  paid,  with  in- 
terest. To  be  more  precise,  one  hundred  and  fifty  guineas 
would  answer  my  purposes  until  I  could  either  get  a  pass- 
port or  provide  other  resources. 

All  this  vexation  arises  from  the  machinations  of  our  wor- 
thy minister,  General  Armstrong,  who  has  been,  and  still  is, 
indefatigable  in  his  exertions  to  my  prejudice  ;  goaded  on  by 
personal  hatred,  by  political  rancour,  and  by  the  natural  ma- 
levolence of  his  temper. 

If  you  should  see  proper  to  afford  me  this  aid,  it  may  be 
done  either  by  an  order  on  your  banker  here,  or  a  permission 
to  draw  on  you.  Of  the  mode  you  can  best  determine  ;  but, 
in  whatever  way,  I  could  wish  that  my  name  do  not  appear. 


30  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

I  would  propose  that  of  John  Vanderlyn,  on  whose  integ- 
rity and  discretion  perfect  reliance  may  be  placed ;  or  it  may 
be  done  through  any  friend  of  yours  whom  you  may  name. 
In  any  event,  I  request  an  acknowledgment  of  this,  to  relieve 
me  from  suspense. 

I  offer  apologies  for  the  freedom.  It  does  not  proceed 
from  any  imagined  claims.  I  pretend  none  ;  but  from  a  be- 
lief that  you  are  above  the  influence  of  the  villanies  which 
are  practised  against  me.  A.  BURR 

TO    THE    COUNT    DE  VOLNEY. 

Paris,  August  5,  1810. 

At  the  moment  of  writing  you  I  perceived  the  difficulty 
stated  in  your  letter,  and  I  should  not  have  taken  the  liberty 
of  addressing  you  on  the  subject  if  you  yourself  had  not 
been  pleased  to  suggest  the  measure.  It  would  be  very 
easy  for  me  to  advise  what  I  could  wish  to  be  written ;  but 
I  find  it  by  no  means  easy  to  distinguish  what  you  may  deem 
consistent  with  delicacy  and  with  policy  on  your  part;  and 
this  difficulty  is  greatly  increased  by  my  ignorance  of  the 
degree  of  familiarity  and  mutual  confidence  which  subsists 
between  you  and  the  minister.  However,  as  the  case  is  ur- 
gent, and  I  am  destitute  of  other  resource,  I  will,  in  obedi- 
ence to  your  invitation,  venture  to  offer  some  hints  on  the 
subject.  You  may  enlarge,  abridge,  or  wholly  reject,  and  I 
shall  not  be  the  less  sensible  of  your  friendship  and  good- 
will. 

You  may  recollect  that  the  refusal  of  a  passport  was  an- 
nounced to  me  on  the  very  day  you  left  Paris ;  and  though 
I  had  not  the  pleasure  to  see  you  after  the  fact  was  person- 
ally announced  to  me,  yet,  at  the  moment  before,  I  commu- 
nicated to  you  my  apprehensions.  Something  like  the  en- 
closed might,  therefore,  perhaps  be  written.  It  is  with  the 
utmost  hesitation  and  diffidence  that  I  offer  it  to  your  con- 
sideration, but  with  the  assurance  that  you  will  consider  it 
with  indulgence. 


OF    AARON    BURR.  31 

I  learn  that  the  American  minister,  who  has  for  many  years 
been  my  personal  and  political  enemy,  has  been  indefatiga- 
ble in  his  exertions  to  prejudice  the  French  government 
against  me ;  and  though  he  is  held  in  the  utmost  contempt, 
as  well  by  that  government  as  by  every  American,  yet  he 
may  have  succeeded  so  far  as  to  inspire  distrust.  I  could 
wish  that  the  French  minister  of  police  should  be  informed 
of  Mr.  Armstrong's  motions ;  but,  in  case  a  passport  should 
still  be  refused,  and  I  should  be  condemned  to  pass  the  win- 
ter in  France,  I  should  prefer  the  South,  and  would  propose 
to  go  southward  so  soon  as  I  can  get  the  means ;  but,  as 
the  motive  to  all  my  movements  must  be  made  known,  I 
would  be  glad,  if  you  should  see  no  objection,  of  an  invita- 
tion to  make  you  a  visit.  Be  assured  that  I  shall  not  be 
oppressive  to  your  hospitalities;  but  the  invitation  being 
shown  would  undoubtedly  procure  me  the  permission  to 
remove  to  a  climate  and  a  country  which,  on  every  account, 
I  should  prefer  to  Paris.  It  is  obvious  that  the  invitation 
must  not  appear  to  have  been  solicited  by  me. 

A.  BURR. 

TO    DUKE    DE    BASSANO. 

Paris,  August  23,  1810. 

Having  come  to  Paris  for  the  sole  purpose  of  offering  cer- 
tain projects  to  the  consideration  of  his  majesty  ;  having  im- 
mediately on  my  arrival  communicated  my  ideas  to  his 
excellency,  Mons.  le  Due  de  Cadore,  and  having  received 
no  information  which  authorizes  me  to  believe  that  his  ma- 
jesty is  disposed  to  adopt  the  views  which  I  have  submitted, 
I  have  the  honour  to  ask  a  passport  to  return  to  the  United 
States,  where  as  well  my  private  affairs  as  the  desire  of 
joining  my  family  require  my  presence.  It  is  several  weeks 
since  I  had  first  the  honour  of  expressing  this  wish  to  your 
excellency.  To  that  demand  I  received  for  answer  that 
a  passport  could  not  then  be  granted  to  me  to  leave  the 
empire. 


32  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

Hoping  that  the  reasons  which  produced  that  refusal  may 
now  have  ceased,  I  have  the  honour  to  repeat  the  request. 
If,  however,  his  majesty  should  intend  to  avail  himself  of 
my  services  at  a  future  day,  I  would  cheerfully  submit  to 
any  further  delay,  however  personally  inconvenient  it  might 
be.  A.  BURR. 

JOURNAL. 

Paris,  Sept.  1,  1810.  Rose  at  five,  having  slept  enough, 
though  it  was  twelve  when  I  went  to  bed.  At  one  to  Duke 
Rovigo's.  I  was  the  first,  and  placed  in  the  antechamber. 
The  huissier  told  me  that  the  audience  would  not  begin  till 
two.  "  Why,  then,  sir,  did  you  bid  me  come  at  one  ?"  "  That 
you  might  be  ready  at  two."  There  came  in  to  the  number 
of  forty-seven ;  a  majority  women.  Two  English  women 
sat  next  to  me.  At  half  past  two  the  doors  were  thrown 
open,  and  a  huissier  cried  out,  "  Mesdames  et  messieurs,  en- 
trez."  I  was  quite  surprised,  expecting  we  were  to  be  called 
in  one  by  one,  as  I  had  seen  practised  by  Fauchet  and  Cham- 
pigny.  We  all  went  in.  Th«e  duke,  in  full  dress,  was  at 
the  farther  end  of  the  room,  and  we  stood,  forming  a  sort  of 
horseshoe,  of  which  the  two  ends  approached  him.  He  be- 
gan on  his  right,  and  so  on,  hearing  and  answering,  generally, 
in  about  one  minute.  Some  of  the  women  kept  him  three 
or  four  minutes,  and  some  talking  on  after  he  had  given  his 
answer,  till  he  turned  his  back  and  addressed  the  next.  His 
first  question  was,  "  Qui  etes  vous  ?"  One  very  ill-looking  fel- 
low he  asked,  "  Etes  vous  le  Colonel  Burr  ?"  By  which  I 
learned  that  he  had  that  person  in  his  mind.  I  shifted  my 
place  so  as  to  be  last;  but  some  three  or  four  others,  with 
the  like  design,  got  after  me. 

At  length  my  turn  came.  I  announced  myself,  and  told 
him  I  had  been  refused  a  passport,  at  which  I  was  the  more 
surprised,  as  he  probably  knew  the  nature  of  the  business 
which  had  brought  me  to  France.  "  I  have  heard  it  men- 
tioned, but  I  do  not  know  the  details." 


OF    AARON    BURR.  33 

"  I  am  delighted,  sir,  to  have  an  opportunity  to  make  you 
acquainted  with  them.  I  have  not  had  an  opportunity  of 
being  heard  by  a  soldier,  and  no  other  is  capable  of  judging 
of  my  enterprise.  The  military  genius  of  your  excellency 
will  appreciate  my  views.  I  should  be  sorry,  indeed,  to 
leave  France  without  having  been  listened  to  and  under- 
stood." 

He  asked  me  to  walk  aside  that  he  might  hear  it.  I  told 
him  that  I  had  it  in  writing. 

"  Ah  !  give  it  to  me.     I  will  read  it  with  eagerness.*5 

So  I  drew  it  from  my  side  pocket  and  gave  it  to  him,  and 
was  going  to  renew  the  question  of  passport. 

"  Ah  !  we  will  talk  of  that  after  I  shall  have  read  your 
memorial.  I  will  write  and  give  you  a  private  audience  in 
a  few  days."  And  then  he  suddenly  turned  off  to  another. 

So  that,  after  all  my  pains  to  get  an  audience,  it  has 
amounted  to  just  nothing.  It  was  unlucky,  however,  that, 
through  ignorance,  I  should  have  stumbled  on  his  public  day. 
On  any  other  he  gives  private  audience  to  all  who  are  per- 
mitted to  come  in.  I  like  much  his  appearance  and  manner. 
A  handsome  man,  about  forty-two,  very  prompt  and  decided, 
but  sufficiently  courteous.  He  has  the  appearance  of  intel- 
ligence and  good  breeding ;  all  which  is  better  than  I  had 
been  taught  to  expect. 

Got  off  at  four.  To  Paschaud's,  where  had  agreed  to 
meet  Vanderlyn.  Found  a  note  for  me  to  dine  with  him. 
Home  ;  changed  my  dress,  and  then  to  Vanderlyn's,  distant 
one  league,  where  had  a  model,  not  exquisite.  After  dinner 
walked  by  Pont  Neuf  to  Palais  Royal,  where  parted,  and  I 
came  home,  having  agreed  that  he  should  call  on  me  at 
eleven  to-morrow,  to  arrange  about  going  together  to  St. 
Germain's,  where  is  a  fete. 

Crede  came  to  town  on  Thursday ;  called  on  me  twice, 
but,  missing  me,  left  a  note  saying. that  he  would  be  at  home 
all  the  evening.  Called  and  saw  him  in  the  evening. 
Walked  together  to  the  Luxembourg  gardens,  where  I 


34  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

waited  till  he  went  to  make  a  negotiation  for  me.  He  was 
successful ;  and  reached,  after  walking  an  hour,  home  at  ten. 
His  zeal  is  great  and  unabated. 

2.  At  nine  to  D'Alling's.  Gone  to  the  bath.  To  Valke- 
naer's,  where  took  a  second  breakfast  and  stayed  an  hour. 
Walked  by  the  Tuileries  to  get  a  passage  to  St.  Germain's, 
Vanderlyn  having  resolved  not  to  go.  Found  a  carriage 
with  four,  I  made  the  fifth.  He  wanted  but  one  of  his  com- 
plement. After  sitting  in  the  carriage  thirty-five  minutes, 
two  of  the  passengers  got  out  of  patience,  sacre'd  and 
diable'd,  and  went  to  seek  some  other  passage.  Then  came 
up  three  who  wished  to  go  to  Versailles.  The  coachman 
asked  if  any  of  us  within  would  go  to  Versailles  ;  two  said 
no,  the  third  yes.  So  we  two  no's  were  turned  out,  and 
he  changed  his  destination  to  Versailles.  After  waiting  half 
an  hour  longer,  without  being  able  to  get  a  passage,  gave  up 
the  jaunt  and  came  home.  Just  now,  three  P.  M.,  L.  brought 
me  a  bowl  of  soup.  Every  day  some  such  attention  and 
good  office  ;  and  now,  at  five,  I  am  going  to  stroll  an  hour. 
Evening.  Felicitate  me  on  my  safe  return.  I  did,  in- 
deed, spend  six  livres,  viz.,  five  livres  ten  sous  for  a  pound 
of  sugar,  and  ten  sous  for  fruit.  Note,  this  is  the  only  sugar 
bought  in  a  month,  and  it  will  last  me  a  month,  for  I  use 
none  at  breakfast. 

Have  been  reading  "  Tableau  de  1'Amour  Conjugal,  par 
Vernette,  two  volumes,  Paris,  1810."  Seeing  it  announced 
in  several  stores,  I  wondered  what  could  be  said  on  such  a 
subject  to  fill  two  volumes.  Looking  at  the  table  of  con- 
tents, found  the  heads  of  chapters  inviting,  and  bought  it.  A 
most  stupid  book.  I  met  in  every  chapter  disappointment, 
and  nothing  else. 

3.  At  nine  walked  out.  On  my  return  bought  Boccace, 
nouvelles  librement  traduits  par  Mirabeau  (who  makes  every- 
thing amusing),  eight  volumes.  Also,  Boccace's  something 
French  and  Italian,  one  volume ;  Rochefaucauld's  Maxims, 
one  volume ;  for  the  whole  paid  twelve  livres.  To  D'Al- 


OF    AARON    BURR.  35 

berg's,  always  frank  and  kind.  He  engaged  me  to  meet  htm 
to-night  at  half  past  eight  at  Duke  Rovigo's,  than  which,  you 
know,  nothing  could  be  more  agreeable  to  me. 

Thence  to  Mrs.  Robertson's  and  took  soup.  I  stayed  an 
hour.  She  urged  me  to  dine,  which  I  declined  on  account 
of  my  evening  engagement.  Went  with  her  in  her  carriage 
to  see  M'lle.  Evans  ;  and  thence  I  called  on  Swediaur,  where 
half  an  hour,  and  then  home.  To  Beret's  coeffure  to  engage 
him  to  call  this  evening;  but  saw  only  his  wife,  qui  est  fort 
gentill.  Home.  Made  my  toilet  without  Beret. 

V.  came  in,  and  we  walked  by  way  of  Pal.  Roy.  A 
thunder-shower,  that  is,  much  lightning,  a  little  thunder,  and 
about  ten  drops  of  rain.  At  the  duke's  was  a  great  assem- 
blage ;  perhaps  one  hundred  gentlemen,  and  twenty  or  thirty 
ladies.  Mel  there  the  Duke  d'Alberg,  who  presented  me  in 
form  to  Duke  Rovigo.  Stayed  an  hour  to  see  the  show,  with 
which  I  was  amused,  because  it  furnished  something  to 
amuse  you.  The  duke  told  me  he  had  read  my  memorial, 
and  said  some  civil  things.  Off  at  half  past  nine  and  home. 
Mem. — Took  coffee  before  going  out  this  evening,  contrary 
to  all  habit,  and  much  afraid  of  consequences ;  to  guard 
against  which,  have  drank  half  a  bottle  of  wine. 

4.  The  coffee  did  keep  me  awake  till  about  three,  never- 
theless rose  at  six.     At  nine  walked  to  the  Baron  d'Alberg's. 
Home  at  two.     Read  an  hour  in  Boccace,  which  found  dull, 
the  French  being  antique  and  difficult  to  understand.     Find- 
ing myself  drowsy,  in  my  chair,  of  an  hour.     To  Fonzi's  at 
half  past  five  to  dine.     Came  in  after  dinner  Mons.  Isidore, 
and  wife,  arid  three  children.     He  had  been  a  year  in  England 
as  emigre.     A  very  pleasant,  well-informed   man.     Urged 
me  much  to  come  and  pass  a  day  with  him  at  Pasey,  where 
he  resides.     This  is  the  first  Frenchman  who  has  offered 
me  the  slightest  hospitality  since  the  seventh  month  I  have 
been  in  France.     Home  at  nine. 

5.  Lay  till  nine  to  sleep  off  a  headache.     Took  a  bowl 
of  tea,  but  ate  nothing.     At  ten  to  Rovigo's.     Gone  to  St. 


36  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

Cloud.  To  Dr.  Swediaur's  half  an  hour,  then  walked 
along  the  quai's  an  hour,  looking  at  the  books  which  are 
there  exposed.  They  are  second-hand  books  and  odd  vol- 
umes, but  so  amazingly  cheap  that  it  is  tempting  to  buy,  but 
bought  none.  Saw  an  edition  of  Boccace  for  six  livres  ten 
sous,  which  is  two  livres  less  than  I  paid  for  mine,  and  which 
I  thought  so  very  cheap,  one  livre  a  volume,  there  being 
eight  volumes.  What  cheaper  could  be  desired  !  To-rnor- 
row  shall  go  again  to  Rovigo's,  when  it  is  hoped  I  may  have 
something  to  tell  you. 

6.  At  nine  to  a  bookstore  in  Honori,  where  bought  for 
you  and  Gamp,  to  the  amount  of  sixteen  livres  ten  sous 
— just  three  dollars.  I  mean  to  buy  you  about  fifty  plays 
of  those  written  since  1788.  You  will  see  from  them  much 
of  the  change  of  manners.  On  my  way  home  changed  three 
guineas.  Home  and  dressed  for  the  Duke  Rovigo's.  Went 
there  at  one.  Was  told  by  the  huissier  that  he  was  in  coun- 
cil of  state,  which  might  last  till  four ;  but  desired  me  to 
come  at  three.  Paschaud's  bookstore  being  just  by,  went 
there  to  pass  the  two  hours.  At  three  returned  to  the  duke's, 
and,  after  staying  an  hour  in  the  antechamber,  was  told  that 
the  council  might  still  sit  a  great  while,  and  that  I  had  better 
come  to-morrow  at  one.  Home.  Then  to  Fonzi's  at  seven 
— a  visit.  He  is  not  only  a  dentist,  but  a  man  of  education, 
of  talents,  and  considerable  acquirements.  I  meet  there,  too, 
a  very  amiable  Spaniard,  Pretre.  Has  passed  many  years  at 
Constantinople,  attached,  I  believe,  to  the  Spanish  embassy. 
He  has  so  great  a  love  for  personal  independence  and  ease, 
that  he  has  refused  a  brilliant  place  at  court,  and  prefers  to 
learn  Fonzi's  art.  Stayed  till  nine,  then  home,  and  have  read 
an  essay  on  lotteries,  par  Bardini.  A  title  full  of  pretension, 
but  the  pamphlet  has  very  little  either  of  fact  or  reasoning. 
Read  also  one  of  your  plays.  La  Famille  Americaine,  par 
Citoyen  Bouilly.  Very  pretty. 

Yesterday,  no,  it  was  Tuesday,  the  weather  changed,  and 
it  is  now  so  cold  that  I  should  be  glad  of  a  fire.  But  to  that 


OF    AARON    BURR.  37 

1  have  great  objections  ;  for  what  would  become  of  the  fifty 
plays,  and  of  something,  I  won't  tell  what,  which  I  meditate 
to  buy  for  Gampillo,  that  will  make  his  little  heart  beat  ? 

7.  Rose  at  half  past  six.     How  divinely  I  sleep.     "  Di- 
vinely ?"  do  the  gods  sleep  ?     At  nine  to  Valkenaer's,  where 
an  hour,  and  took  a  second  breakfast,  tea,  bread,  butter,  and 
smoked  beef.     Home-and  dressed  for  Duke  Rovigo's,  where 
at  half  past  twelve.     The  huissier  told  me  that  S.  excel- 
lency did  not  receive  to-day.     Several  others  came  in.     I 
was  seated  with  my  back  to  the  door  of  entrance.     But  the 
story  is  too  long  to  write.     I  wjll  tell  it  you.     The  conclu- 
sion is,  that,  after  waiting  three  hours,  I  got  sight  of  his  ex- 
cellency by  force,  and  demanded  my  passport.     He  briefly 
told  me  that  his  majesty  had  consented,  and  that  I  must  ap- 
ply to  the  minister  of  exterior  relations,  and  then  turned  his 
back  and  made  his  escape. 

The  assurance  that  his  majesty  has  consented  is  some- 
thing, though,  I  am  sorry  to  say,  not  much.  Words  cost 
nothing  here,  and  there  is  often  an  immensity  of  time  and 
space  between  the  promise  of  a  courtier  and  the  perform- 
ance. 

At  four  to  Vanderlyn's  to  dine.  At  half  past  six  we  walked 
together  half  an  hour,  and  then  I  went  home.  Found  a  note 
from  Mrs.  Robertson,  requesting  me  to  dine  to-morrow,  as 
being,  "  probably,  the  last  time."  Replied  yes. 

On  my  way  from  the  minister's,  went  round  by  Stone's 
manufactory,  and  he  not  being  there,  to  Rue  Bondi.  Out. 
Left  a  note  which  I  had  written  in  case  of  not  finding  him. 
The  note  was  rather  dry,  and  may,  probably,  terminate  our 
acquaintance. 

8.  At  ten  to  Duke  d'Alberg's,  to  whom  related  my  inter- 
view of  yesterday.     He  advises  me  to  go  to  his  evening 
party  on  Monday,  and  there  again  press  the  subject,  and  he 
will  meet  me  there.     At  half  past  four  to  Mrs.  Robertson's 
to  dine.     Met  there   Miss  Evans  and  Madame  Menutzi. 
Stayed  till  nine,  and  then  home.     Wrote  a  note  to  Crede, 


38  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

who,  I  fear,  is  not  pleased  that  I  did  not  pass  Sunday  last 
with  him  as  I  had  engaged.  See  the  Journal  de  1'Empire  of 
this  day-  The  contrast  between  France  and  England. 

9.  At  eight  came  in  Mr.  Howseal,  whom  I  detained  at 
breakfast,  and   had  a  great  breakfast  below,  coffee,  sugar, 
bread,  butter,  eggs,  fruit.     He  stayed  nearly  two  hours,  and 
amused  me  with  his  adventures.     He  has  only  thirteen  chil- 
dren, but  expects  five  or  six  more. 

Home.  Read  two  hours  in  "  Les  abus  dans  les  Cere- 
monies et  dans  les  Moeurs  d'evellopes,  par  Mr.  L."  There 
is  wit  in  the  preface  and  dedjcation,  and  some  learning  in  the 
body  of  the  work,  but  the  subject  has  lost  its  interest  except 
as  mere  matter  of  curiosity.  At  two  to  Fonzi's  ;  there  two 
hours,  and  got  fitted  so  as  to  be  at  ease.  For  two  days 
past  have  had  much  plague  and  pain  with  my  jaws. 

Dined  with  the  family  to-day,  and  have  not  stirred  out 
since  dinner.  Had  a  note  from  Mrs.  Robertson  this  even- 
ing, asking  me  to  draw  a  power  of  attorney,  and  to  dine  with 
her  to-morrow.  Replied,  assenting  to  both.  No  reply  from 
Stone.  What  the  devil  did  he  mean  by  offering  me,  nearly 
six  weeks  ago,  the  loan  of  Humboldt's  Works,  and  neither 
to  send  it  nor  answer  my  note?  This  is  English. 

10.  At  ten  to  D'Alberg's.     He  had  heard  nothing  concern- 
ing me,  but  persisted  that  I  should  go  this  evening  to  Duke 
Rovigo's.     Home,  and  drew  and  copied  a  power  of  attorney 
for  Mrs.  Robertson.     Then  to  Music  to  meet  Vanderlyn  and 
to  examine  the  pictures  exposed  for  public  inspection.     Ev- 
ery two  years  there  is  an  exhibition  and  competition  for  prizes. 
Every  ten  years  a  great  exhibition.     As  I  buy  the  list  and 
explanation  of  all  such  things,  will  give  you  my  remarks 
when  we  shall  read  that  over  together.     At  four,  home  to 
dress  for  dinner  and  for  the  evening. 

As  I  was  obliged  to  wear  chapeau  bras  for  the  evening, 
and  could  not  come  home  from  Mrs.  Robertson's,  was  neces- 
sitated to  take  a  hack.  At  dinner,  Nancy  Evans,  madame, 
and  myself.  Mrs.  Robertson  will  certainly  marry  that  young 


OF    AARON    BURR.  39 

Adamson  very  soon.  Neither  she  nor  Mr.  Evans  can  get 
passport.  You  see  I  am  not  the  single  victim.  Left  Mrs. 
Robertson's  at  half  past  seven,  and  to  Duke  R.'s.  There 
was  an  immense  crowd ;  perhaps  one  hundred  carriages  at 
the  door.  Was  presented  to  la  Duchess  Rovigo,  who  is  a 
belle  Creole.  Met  there  Duke  d'Alberg  et  ux,  and  was 
again  much  amused  with  the  spectacle. 

The  gentlemen  all  stand.  Now  and  then  one  advances 
and  says  some  commonplace  thing  to  one  of  the  ladies. 
Then  retires  to  the  male  side.  They  seem  to  me  to  ennui 
themselves  quite  as  much  as  in  England  or  America  on  like 
occasions.  I  was  almost  the  only  person  who  was  laced. 
Home  at  half  past  nine.  Observe  how  reasonable  and  sage 
I  have  been  for  ten  days.  I  never  spend  a  livre  that  I  do 
not  calculate  what  pretty  thing  it  might  have  bought  for  you 
and  Gampillo.  Hence  my  economy. 

11.  Rose  at  five.     Scarcely  light  enough  to  see.     There 
must  be  something  in  the  air  or  stars,  for  the  family,  who 
are  never  stirring  till  nine,  were  up  at  seven.     Took  my 
breakfast  at  seven.     At  half  past  nine  to  V.'s,  where  took  a 
second  breakfast.     Last  evening  I  had  a  note  from  him,  say- 
ing that  he  had  something  to  tell  me.     It  was  about  the 
Spanish  cap.,  but  how  to  get  at  him  I  have  not  yet  discov- 
ered.    To  Abel's,  where  paid  my  account,  fifty-nine  livres. 
Took  dinner  with   Swan   at  the  Pelasgie,  where  met  my 
friend  M'Crea,  whom  I  did  not  recollect,  he  is  so  pale  and 
thin.     He  married  two  years  ago  a  young  wife.     Stayed 
but  a  few  minutes.     He  had  heard  nothing  from  V.     En- 
gaged to  call  on  him  again  this  week  to  hear  something 
"important"  he  had  to  communicate. 

12.  At  eight  a  special  messenger  from  Crede,  begging 
me  to  call  immediately,  that  he  had  something  very  impor- 
tant to  communicate.     What  the  devil  can  it  be  ?     Good  or 
bad  ?     Or,  perhaps,  something  which  I  shall  consider  of  no 
importance  at  all.     Posted  off  about  a  league,  and  found 
him  waiting.     The  arrival  of  G.  is  what  he  had  to  tell  me, 

VOL.  11.  3 


40  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

and   perhaps   it   may  be   important.     We   shall   know  to 
morrow. 

Thence  about  a  league  more  to  D'Alberg's.  Out.  To 
Fonzi's  an  hour,  but  did  nothing.  Then  home  to  receive 
Howseal,  who  was  to  call  with  some  of  his  children.  He 
came  at  four,  and  brought  m'lle.,  who  is  very  pretty  and  gen- 
teel, and  three  boys.  We  had  a  little  repast  of  peaches  and 
grapes,  bread,  butter,  cheese,  and  wine,  which  cost  about  three 
livres,  and  nosegay  for  m'lle.  Stayed  till  five.  Before  their 
arrival,  I,  being  hungry,  took  my  share,  and  ate  again  with 
them.  Madame  P.  asked  me  to  dine,  as  she  does  almost 
every  day,  but  I  had  dined. 

13.  At  nine  to  Mr.  G.'s.  Not  up.  To  Baron  d'Alberg's. 
Not  up.  Now  it  seems  the  air  and  stars  have  taken  a 
drowsy  turn.  Waited  at  D'Alberg's  till  he  got  up,  and 
passed  half  an  hour.  He  says  that  the  Duke  Rovigo  told 
him  that  Mons.  le  Col.  Burr  might  have  his  passport  when- 
ever he  would  call  for  it.  This  was  great  news  ;  very  great, 
if  true  in  the  event.  To  Mr.  G.'s,  who  received  me  very 
courteously.  Began  with  my  business — the  most  awkward 
of  all  kinds  of  business,  1'argent !  Spoke  of  his  losses,  &c., 
which  I  knew  to  be  very  true.  He  has  been  infamously 
swindled  by  men  who  hold  unmerited  estimation  in  the 
world.  Agreed  to  take  breakfast  with  him  to-morrow  at 
ten,  which  I  shall  not  forget. 

To  Saugnier's,  sec.  de  la  police  general,  to  demand  my 
passport.  He  would  not  se3  me.  These  fellows  are  often 
more  difficult  than  their  masters.  Sent  in  a  note  to  him, 
and  received  verbally,  in  reply,  that  he  had  no  instructions 
from  the  duke  about  my  passport,  but  would  see  him  on  the 
subject  to-day.  Thence  to  the  prefecture,  where  the  pass- 
ports are  finally  had  and  paid  for.  The  chef  de  bureau 
made  me  the  same  reply  as  Saugnier.  Thence  on  to  Pe- 
lasgie,  where  dined  with  Swan.  The  important  concern  is 
about  merino  sheep.  No  doubt  there  is  a  great  deal  of 
money  to  be  made  by  it,  but  it  is  out  of  my  line.  Home 


OF    AARON    BURR.  41 

at  seven.  To  Pelasgie,  from  my  quarters,  is  more  than 
three  miles.  Had  coffee  blanc.  I  am  making  an  experiment 
of  coffee  not  burned,  having  somewhere  read  that  the  burning 
made  the  oil  acid,  which  was  the  cause  of  the  nervous  effect. 
I  have  drank  two  large  cups.  You  shall  know  to-morrow 
how  I  sleep.  Vanderlyn  found  it  detestable,  and  I  confess 
it  was  something  mawkish. 

14.  Rose  at  six,  having  slept  perfectly  well,  the  white 
coffee  notwithstanding.     Have  taken  a  large  dose  this  even- 
ing, and  something  stronger  than  that  of  yesterday.     Found 
it  more  tolerable  to  taste. 

Wrote  a  letter  to  Duke  Rovigo,  to  remind  him  that  he 
had  assured  me  of  his  majesty's  assent  to  my  passport 
That  I  had  applied,  and  the  answers  I  had  received.  Sent 
it  by  a  commissionaire.  Fifteen  sous. 

To  Mr.  Griswold's,  where  took  a  second  breakfast.  He 
let  me  have  2000  francs,  about  333  dollars,  for  which  I  gave 
a  receipt.  This  will  enable  me  to  get  to  America  if  I 
should  ever  get  passport.  Passed  two  hours  with  G.  You 
know  that  I  have  always  thought  he  had  one  of  the  most 
acute,  logical  heads  of  our  country.  Home  for  an  hour. 
Walked  out  with  Vanderlyn.  On  coming  home,  met  on  the 
Boulevard  what  he  thought  a  model.  He  went  to  take  in 
formation,  and  I  sagely  home,  where,  having  taken  my  coffee 
blanc,  to  bed. 

15.  The  white  coffee  maintains  its  reputation,  and  I  have 
become  more  reconciled  to  its  flavour.     In  a  little  while  I 
shall  like  it.     The  disadvantage  is,  that  it  takes  double  the 
quantity.     Don't  imagine  that  I  use  it  perfectly  raw.     Not 
so,  madam.     The  roasting  took  me  two  hours,  so  afraid  was 
I  that  it  would  be  spoiled.     I  succeeded  to  dry  it,  in  an  iron 
machine  made  for  the  purpose  of  "  burning  coffee,"  till  the 
whole  was  nearly  a  cream  colour,  more  nearly  approaching 
very  pale  cinnamon,  or  something  between  both. 

At  ten  to  D'Alberg's.  He  advises  that  I  go  again  to  the 
duke's  this  day,  being  his  day  of  public  audience.  Went 


42  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

on  to  Madame  Robertson's,  where  an  hour.  Wine  and 
water,  bread,  butter,  and  ham.  Gamp,  was  hungry.  She 
urged  me  so  much  to  come  back  and  dine,  that  I  consented. 
Thence  to  Saugniers,  secretary  of  the  police.  He  would 
not  see  me,  but  sent  me  word  that  he  had  no  instructions 
about  my  passport.  Home,  and  dressed  for  the  audience  of 
the  minister,  and  went.  Had  a  few  words  with  him.  He 
said  that  his  majesty  had  not  yet  given  his  signature,  but 
that  he  would  procure  it  in  the  course  of  the  next  week. 
Perhaps  so.  Home ;  changed  my  dress,  and  to  Mrs.  Rob- 
ertson's, where  dined.  Several  at  dinner,  and  M.  Adamson 
came  in  to  tea.  Off  at  eight,  and  directly  home. 

While  I  was  in  Saugnier's  antechamber,  there  passed  a 
marchand  de  varietes,  with  whom  I  had  some  weeks  ago 
been  bargaining  for  an  old  painting  which  I  had  thought  of 
buying.  He  saluted  me  very  respectfully  by  the  title  of 
baron  ;  said  he  had  my  works,  which  he  had  read  with  great 
pleasure,  &c. ;  to  all  which  I  bowed.  Who  the  devil  can 
he  take  me  for  ? 

Have  been  taking  my  coffee  blanc,  and  reading  two  hours 
in  some  books  I  have  been  buying  for  you,  of  which  shall  say 
more  anon. 

16.  Very  chilly.     A  fire  would  be  comfortable.     At  ten  to 
Valkenaer's,  where  took  a  second  breakfast  and  stayed  two 
hours.     He   is  amusing  and  instructive.     To  Griswold's. 
Out.     To  Fonzi's,  and  there  till  half  past  three.     We  fin- 
ished the  work,  and  I  believe  it  is  at  length  perfect.     Home. 
A  packet  from  Mrs.  Robertson,  and  invitation  to  dinner  on 
Tuesday.     Agreed.     Wrote  a  note  to  Crede,  and  went  to 
leave  it  in  case  he  should  be  out.     To  Crede's,  you  know  ; 
T  don't  believe  you  know,  though  I  have  told  you  three  times, 
hussy;  why,  then,  again,  it  is  a  league.    Home  at.  six.    Have 
taken  coffee  blanc. 

17.  Slept  sound   till  seven.     What  can  have  produced 
this  lethargy?     Not  the  white  coffee,  surely.     At  half  past 
nine  to  D'Alberg's ;  told  him  of  my  interview  of  Saturday. 


OF    AARON  BURR.  43 

Says  there  must  be  something  more  than  ordinary.  Thence 
to  Roux's.  Out.  To  the  marchand  des  varietes  to  look 
again  at  that  picture,  and  finally  bought  it,  thinking  it  would 
please  you.  Forty-eight  francs  !  What  extravagance.  But 
that  is  by  no  means  the  worst  article  of  this  day's  work 
Thence  to  Michaux's,  the  botanist,  who  was  many  years  in 
the  United  States,  and  has  written  a  valuable  little  book  of 
his  travels.  He  is  now  publishing  his  account  of  our  trees, 
which  will  be  extremely  interesting.  It  demonstrates  that 
we  (not  the  whole  continent,  but  the  United  States  alone) 
have  three  times  the  number  of  useful  trees  that  Europe 
can  boast ;  but  I  will  bring  so  much  of  his  work  as  is  pub- 
lished. I  called  on  him  yesterday,  but  he  was  out,  and  out 
again  to-day.  Thence  to  Vanderlyn's,  which  is  near  (that  is, 
about  a  mile),  and  at  one  back  again  to  Michaux's,  whom  I 
found.  My  business  was  to  ascertain  the  identity  of  a  plant 
and  a  tree,  both  vaunted  in  medicine,  and  Mr.  M.  gave  me 
the  most  perfect  satisfaction.  Got  home  at  half  past  two. 
Dressed  for  dinner.  At  half  past  four  to  Dr.  Swediaur's, 
calling  at  the  Lion  on  my  way  to  see  my  tailor;  a  great 
rascal,  but  if  I  change  him  I  shall  get  a  greater.  The  por- 
teress  at  the  Lion  told  me  that  a  gentleman  had  called  there 
to  see  me,  and  she  had  given  him  my  address.  "  And,  pray, 
where  did  you  direct  him  ?"  "  Why,  to  No.  9  Rue  du  Crois- 
sant." Now,  as  I  am  at  No.  7,  she  might  as  well  have  sent 
him  to  the  Boulevard,  and  so  I  have  not  seen  the  gentleman. 
It  was,  as  agreed,  a  tete-k-tete  with  Svvediaur.  The  story 
of  William  P.  charged  with  forgery,  to  whom  Armstrong 
gave  a  passport  under  a  feigned  name  to  favour  his  escape. 
Of  Upson,  whom  he  wished  to  charge  with  despatches  for 
England,  but  required  a  receipt  for  a  sum  of  money  not  paid. 
Qf  *********** *^  but  a  great  many  others  Home  at 

half  past  seven.  Drank  too  much  wine.  Have  taken  my 
coffee  blanc  still  stronger.  Found,  on  my  arrival  here,  a 
letter  from  S.  and  F.,  enclosing  one  from  Gahn,  open.  An 
apology  from  S.  and  F.,  which  was  unnecessary,  for  it  is 


44  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

known  that  all  foreign  letters  go  to  the  police  for  examina- 
tion. If  you  should  have  written  me  by  the  same  occasion, 
the  letter  has  not  been  delivered.  Perhaps  you  had  a  few 
words  of  cipher;  if  so,  I  shall  never  see  it.  But,  ah,  per- 
haps that  gentleman  whom  I  have  not  seen  had  letters  for 
me  !  Curse  the  porteress. 

Some  weeks  ago,  the  twenty-four  sous  and  twelve  sous 
pieces  were,  by  an  imperial  decree,  put  down  to  twenty  and 
ten  sous.  I  paid  my  quota  of  the  tax,  having  just  then  re- 
ceived about  twenty  of  those  pieces.  There  was  a  publi- 
cation by  authority  on  the  occasion.  Then,  after  an  interval 
of  about  fifteen  or  twenty  days,  the  louis,  the  old  crowns  and 
half  crowns  were  reduced.  To  this,  also,  I  contributed, 
having  had  the  same  luck  as  before.  On  Friday  or  Satur- 
day last,  the  six  Hard  pieces  (one  and  a  half  sous)  were  put 
at  one  sous,  or  reduced  to  nothing,  as  they  ought  to  have 
been,  I  don't  know  which  of  them.  I  had,  for  the  first  time, 
about  forty  in  my  possession  ;  but  as  this  bore  hard  on  the 
very  poor,  the  six  liards  were,  by  a  proclamation  in  the 
evening,  restored  to  their  nominal  value,  which  is  a  pity. 
The  sooner  the  old  money  is  out  of  the  way,  the  better,  for 
it  makes  a  deal  of  intricacy  and  confusion  in  dealing,  whereas 
the  new  is  all  in  decimals  like  ours  ;  is  also  well  struck,  and 
very  handsome,  so  that  I  should  very  cheerfully  pay  my 
quota. 

18.  Rose  at  seven,  something  the  worse  for  the  dinner  of 
yesterday.     At  ten  came  in  Mr.  Griswold  and  sal  till  twelve. 
He  has  a  most  profound,  analytic  head.     To  the  tailor's  at 
the  Lion.      Home   and  dressed  for  dinner.     Off  to  Mrs. 
Robertson's.     Was,  by  appointment,  to  see  her  at  four,  to 
talk  of  business.     Met  at  dinner  M'lle.  J.  Evans  and  Mr. 
Minnulze,  and,  after  dinner,  Mr.  Adamson.    Stayed  till  nine. 
Home  just  before  ten.     Not  permitted  to  walk  through  the 
Tuilenes  at  that  hour. 

19.  At  ten  to  Valkenaer's,  where  took  a  second  breakfast. 
To  Roux's,  from  whom  got  the  usual  answer.     To 


OF    AARON    BURR.  45 

nier's  to  inquire  for  a  small  parcel  of  books  which  I  sup- 
posed I  had  left  there,  but  found  it  afterward  at  Paschaud's. 
Home.  Fillebouka,  and  at  four  set  out  on  a  very  long  walk 
to  Howseal's,  Rue  Dore.  He  had  removed  to  Isle  St.  Louis, 
about  as  much  farther.  Went  on,  and  there  found  him  and 
his  eight  children.  Home  at  seven.  Tired,  and  must  go  to 
sleep,  but  will  have  a  supper  first.  Eggs  and  white  coffee. 

20.  To   Mr.    Griswold's,   where    stayed   an    hour.      To 
Fonzi's,  where  met  Vanderlyn,  who  told  me  that  Peale  will 
leave  town  to-morrow  for  L'Orient ;  to  sail  thence  for  Phil- 
adelphia.    Home  to  write,  but  could  send  you  nothing,  not 
knowing  any  single  person  in  Philadelphia  to  whom  I  could 
intrust  a  parcel  for  you.     Yes  ;    I.  Barclay  now  occurs  to 
me,  but  it  is  too  late,  for  my  letters  are  gone.     One  to  you, 
to  Bollman,  and  to  Gahn. 

2 1 .  After  writing  you  last  evening,  I  made  draught  of  a  let- 
ter for  Mrs.  Robertson  to  her  lawyer,  and  did  not  go  to  bed 
till  one.     At  two  set  out  to  go  to  St.  Pelasgie,  but  found  it 
too  late,  and  so  stopped  at  Vanderlyn's,  where,  as  was  agreed 
last  evening,  we  took  an  early  dinner,  that  we  might  go  to 
the  opera  to  see  the  Bayaderes.     It  was  said  that  the  em- 
peror would  be  there.     On  the  way  from  Vanderlyn's  called 
on  Crede,  whom  found,  and  agreed  to  breakfast  with  him  to- 
morrow.    Thence  to  the  opera.     The  decorations  and  the 
ballet  are  magnificent.     In  every  theatre  they  have  a  parcel 
of  rascals  hired  to  applaud   everything.     From  twenty  to 
fifty  of  them,  who  are  placed  in  the  middle  of  the  parterre, 
and  are  a  great  nuisance.     Home  at  half  past  ten,  and  found 
a  note  from  Mrs.  Robertson,  and  another  from  Swan.     An- 
swered both  notes. 

Did  not  take  my  coffee  blanc  this  evening,  having  no  coal ; 
so  consoled  myself  with  milk  punch.  My  uncle  Stephen 
lived  on  milk  punch,  and,  at  the  age  of  eighty-six,  mounted 
by  the  stirrup  a  very  gay  horse,  and  galloped  off  with  me 
twelve  miles  without  stopping,  and  was,  I  thought,  less  fa- 
tigued than  I. 


46  PKIVATE    JOURNAL 

22.  The  coffee  blanc  maintains  its  reputation.     Was  at 
Crede's  just  before  nine,  and  there  took  breakfast.    We  went 
together  to  St.  Pelasgie,  where  he  left  me,  and  I  passed  an 
hour  with  Swan,  talking  principally  of  sheep.     On  coming 
home,  found  the  card  of  Captain  Skiddy,  with  message  that 
he   would  call  again   between  three  and  four.     Doubtless 
some  American  captain  with  a  letter  from  you.     Intended 
to  have  gone  to  the  Duke  de  Rovigo's,  but  was  tired,  and  it 
is  a  most  unpleasant  ceremony,  and  shall  get  only  the  usual 
answer. 

At  four  comes  in  Captain  Skiddy.  He  is  from  New-York ; 
in  the  employ  of  Jumel,  and  his  business  is  to  present  for 
payment  an  order  which  I  drew  on  Mr.  Alston  about  four- 
teen months  ago,  in  Sweden,  in  favour  of  Captain  Barry,  for 
eighty  pounds  sterling.  Captain  Barry  sends  me  word  that 
he  had  written  frequently  to  Mr.  Alston,  who  has  never 
answered  him  !  Very  pleasant. 

23.  At  half  past  eight,  as  was  agreed,  Crede  came  in  to 
take   me   to  breakfast  with   his   friend   Mancel.      A  very 
pleasant  young  man,  who  has  a  very  handsome  establish- 
ment for  a  gar£on  of  twenty-five.     He  contemplates  remo- 
ving to  the  United  States,  and  his  younger  brother  is  now 
there  exploring.     We  had  tea,  cutlets,  and  dessert  of  fruit. 
Stayed  till  one. 

A  very  important  discovery  has  been  made  here,  viz.,  to 
make  vinegar,  of  excellent  quality,  from  the  sap  of  trees. 
The  process  gives  you  all  the  moisture  in  vinegar,  and  all 
the  wood  in  carbon.  I  shall  get  the  details  if  I  can  find 
money  to  pay  for  it,  that  is  to  say,  about  one  hundred  dollars. 
Walked  with  Crede  to  buy  a  sample  of  this  vinegar  ;  but  the 
store  was  shut,  being  Sunday.  We  went,  then,  to  see  Mons. 
Cagniard,  and  his  new  invention  of  raising  water  and  per- 
forming any  mechanical  operation.  His  apparatus  is  a  screw 
of  Archimedes  turned  the  reverse,  air,  water,  and  quicksil- 
ver. Cagniard  was  abroad;  but  we  saw  a  model,  and  work- 
ed it,  and  got  the  report  of  a  committee  of  the  Institute  on  the 


OF    AARON    BURR.  47 

subject.  If  the  thing  performs  what  is  said,  I  will  apply  it 
lo  give  water  to  Charleston.  Walked  with  Crede  about  half 
way  down  St.  Denis,  and  then  came  home.  Home  at  half 
past  six.  Coffee  blanc,  bieri  fort. 

24.  Very  early  sent  off  my  note  to  Madame  Robertson  by 
the  commissaire.  which  costs  fifteen  sous.     At  ten  went  out 
to  call   on  Skiddy.     Met  him  in  the  street  with  Howseal. 
To  Duke  d'Alberg's ;  stayed  an  hour ;  took  breakfast  a  la 
fourchette,  &c.     Madame  is  handsome  and  lovely.     They 
go  to  Rovigo's  to-night,  and   will  ask  about  my  passport. 
I  declined  going.      Went  to  Madame  Robertson's.      She 
always   keeps    me   about  half   an    hour  while   she   makes 
her  toilet.     Coming  from  Mrs.  R.'s  called  on  Baron  Clay- 
brooke,  who  has  returned  to  town  after  three  months'  ab- 
sence.    Home  leisurely.    Found  that  Crede  had  just  called. 
We  had  agreed  that  he  should  call  between  two  and  three, 
and  I  was  home  five  minutes  before  three.     He  left  word 
he  would  call  again  ;  and,  as  I  wished  much  to  see  him,  I 
stayed  at  home  till  half  past  five  ;  but  he  came  not.     So 
wrote  him  a  note,  and  went  and  left  it  at  his  lodgings,  about 
one  league.     Home  at  seven. 

Rumours  of  changes  intended  by  the  emperor  in  Spain, 
in  Poland,  and  in  Naples.  They  are  but  rumours.  Read 
memoire  on  the  state  of  Europe  before  the  discovery  of 
America. 

25.  At  ten  called  on  Mr.  Griswold,  where  remained  a 
few  minutes.     We  searched  the  code,  and  talked  of  Ben- 
tham,  and  of  vinegar,  &c.     Thence  to  D'Alberg's,  to  hear 
his  report.     The  minister  of  police  said  that  he  had  made 
a  report  to  the  emperor  of  my  demand  of  passport,  and  had 
received  no  answer.     Did   not  know  when    one  might  be 
given  ;  so  that  I  am  just  where  I  was  four  months  ago,  only 
with  less  money,  and  the  fine  season  gone.    Returning,  met 
young  Crede.     His  father  left  town  yesterday,  and  uncer- 
tain when  he  will  be  back.     Dined  at  home  with  the  family. 

26.  To  Valkenaer's,  where  breakfasted  a  second  time,  for 


48  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

my  first  breakfast  is  generally  made  at  seven.  V.  always 
amuses  me.  To  Mancel's,  where  remained  half  an  hour. 
He  engages  me  to  dine  on  Friday.  The  first  invitation  of 
any  sort  from  a  Frenchman  since  being  in  France ;  now 
near  eight  months.  On  my  return  home  last  evening  found 
a  note  from  Vanderlyn,  saying  that  Mr.  Warden,  by  whom 
I  proposed  to  write  to  America,  would  leave  town  early  to- 
morrow morning.  Wrote  to  you,  to  Gahn,  and  to  Bollman, 
arid  to  Greenwood  the  dentist,  and  at  seven  this  morning  went 
with  the  letters  to  Vanderlyn.  This  evening  coffee  blanc. 

27.  Yesterday  called  on  Sisto,  the  Spanish  maitre  de 
langue,  to  engage  him  to  give  me  a  few  lessons  in  his  lan- 
guage. This  morning  at  nine  he  came  and  stayed  an  hour. 
I  would  do  nothing  but  read  aloud  after  him,  to  catch  the 
pronunciation,  and  translate.  Have  laid  out  a  louis  in 
grammars,  dictionaries,  and  some  other  books,  for  which 
expense  I  console  myself  that  they  will  be  useful  to  you 
and  Gampillo.  Wrote  you  another  letter,  and  one  to  Hosack, 
with  a  parcel  for  each  of  you,  and  went  to  Vanderlyn's  with 
them.  He  went  to  Warden's,  who,  learning  that  the  let- 
ters and  parcels  were  from  me,  would  not  take  them. 
Home  and  dined  fillebouka.  After  dinner  to  hunt  two  or 
three  pamphlets.  Home  at  six.  Coffee  blanc.  A  long  visit 
from  J.,  to  talk  about  her  business,  and  to  get  me  to  write 
some  more  letters.  Poor  soul,  she  repeats  over  her  in- 
structions about  a  hundred  times,  for  fear  I  should  forget 
them. 

Have  read  this  evening  Molleral's  pamphlet  on  the  wood 
vinegar ;  a  very  important  discovery ;  and  Parmentier's  on 
the  management  of  wine  ;  very  stupid  and  unsatisfactory. 

Bought  to-day  half  a  pound  of  sirop  de  raisins,  for  exper- 
iment. It  is  fjomething  like  very  dirty  molasses,  diluted 
exceedingly  with  dirty  water.  The  taste  corresponds  to  the 
appearance.  I  can  make  no  sort  of  use  of  it.  .  Cost  twelve 
sous,  and  five  sous  for  the  bottle.  Grapes  are  now  from 
three  to  eight  sous  a  pound,  and  I  eat  about  two  pounds  a  day. 


OF    AARON    BURR.  49 

28.  At  ten  to  Mr.  Griswold's,  where  half  an  hour  talking 
of  vinegar  and  other  projects.     Thence  to  Valkenaer's,  to 
get  a  pamphlet  which  I  had  borrowed  from  D'Alberg,  and 
lent  him.     He  had  lent  it  to  a  friend,  so  I  think  it  is  in  a  fair 
way  to  be  lost.     Thence    home    to  get  another   pamphlet 
about  vinegar,  which  I  had  promised  to  Griswold.     Called 
again  at  G.'s,  and  thence  to  D'Alberg's,  where  half  an  hour. 
Thence  to  Sisto's,  to  say  that  I  could  not  take  a  lesson  till 
Monday.  At  three  to  Rue  St.  Denis  for  dinner.  To  Mancel's, 
where  met  Crede  and  a  young  Frenchman,  Bourdelet;  a 
handsome,  intelligent  man  of  about  thirty-six.     We  were 
five  at  table.     A  plain,  good  dinner,  intended  to  suit  my  taste. 
A  pleasant,  cheerful  party.     Off  at  half  past  eight.     Mancel 
and  Bourdelet  walked  with  us,  and  we  took  ice  creams  on 
the  Boulevards.     Then  parted.      Crede  and  I  walked  to- 
gether half  an  hour,  and  agreed  to  meet  at  ten  to-morrow 
morning. 

On  my  arrival  home,  found  a  note  from  Swan,  containing 
at  last  some  news  from  V.,  but  not  perfectly  satisfactory  ; 
also,  a  verbal  message  from  Mrs.  Robertson,  left  by  her 
coachman,  begging  me  to  call  on  her  to-morrow  morning, 
and  by  no  means  to  fail.  What  can  be  now  in  the  wind  ? 
Tt  is  quite  mal  apropos,  for  I  am  engaged  to  go  with  Griswold 
to-morrow  morning  in  the  country. 

29.  At  ten  to  G.'s,  where  met  Crede.     Found  G.  ready 
for  the  country  jaunt,  but  asked  an  hour's  delay,  that  I  might 
go  and   see  what   was  Mrs.  Robertson's   distress.     Took 
cabriole  (the  first  time  in  a  month)  and  drove  to  Mrs.  R.'s. 
Found  her  unusually  well,  and  expecting  that  I  would  dine 
with  her,  which  was  the  only  message  by  her  servant.    The 
rest  was  the  invention  of  our  deaf  Jeannet ;  so  drove  back 
again  to  G.'s.     Having  last  evening  written  to  Swan  that  I 
would  call  upon  him  this  morning,  wrote  from  G.'s  that  I 
must  postpone  my  visit  to   him   till   to-morrow  morning. 
Went  with  G.  in  cabriolet  to  see  a  place  he  had  thought  of 
buying.     Passed  two  or  three  hours  there,  and  got  in  town  at 


50  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

half  past  five.  Took  dinner  with  him  at  a  famous  restaura- 
teur's on  the  Boulevard. 

Engaged  to  pass  some  hours  with  F.  to-morrow,  to  finish 
our  business.  Just  as  I  got  home  came  in  young  Crede,  to 
say  that  his  father  had  engaged  Mancel  to  take  me  out  to 
pass  the  day  at  his  house  at  St.  Germain's,  and  to  set  off  at 
eight.  I  had  much  desired  this  party,  and  Crede  had  made 
it  to  gratify  me  ;  but  how  unfortunate.  What  is  to  be  done 
with  my  engagements  to  F.  and  S.  ? 

30.  In  my  great  embarrassment  I  resolved  to  disappoint 
Crede,  though  sorely  against  my  will.  At  nine  called  on 
Mancel  to  tell  him  so.  He  had  already  gone.  Hence  to 
Fonzi's,  on  whose  account  I  gave  up  the  other  engagement. 
Found  him  engaged,  and  the  bijoutier  not  come.  Home  to 
get  my  permission  for  the  Pelasgie.  Thence  to  the  bijou- 
tier's  to  engage  him  to  go  to  F.'s ;  then  to  the  Pelasgie, 
where  passed  a  few  minutes  with  Swan  ;  then  to  other 
places  ;  for  these  courses  took  cabriole,  which  cost  me  three 
francs.  Note,  madame,  it  is  the  first  time  in  a  month  that  I 
have  paid  carriage-hire.  F.  and  I  did  very  little ;  but  we 
dined  and  smoked  segars.  Hernandez,  and  Vanderlyn,  and 
bijoutier  were  our  party.  Found  on  my  return  home  another 
letter  from  Gahn,  dated  30th  July,  referring  me  to  former 
letters  which  have  not  been  received,  and  saying  that  he  has 
forwarded  me  many  letters,  of  which,  however,  I  have  not 
seen  one. 

Paris,  October  1,  1810.  Wrote  note  to  Sisto,  postponing 
his  lesson  (did  I  tell  you  that  I  had  taken  a  Spanish  master  ?) 
till  to-morrow.  To  Swediaur's  to  inquire  about  sale  of  Let- 
taspri's  place  for  Griswold.  I  was  right.  It  is  for  sale. 
Being  engaged  to  dine  with  Vanderlyn  at  half  past  four,  had 
an  hour  to  spare.  Called  on  Prevost  and  Edwards  ;  both 
out ;  and,  meeting  no  obstacle  in  the  way,  got  safe  to  Van- 
derlyn's  at  half  past  three.  Dined,  and  at  six  came  off  to- 
gether. Parted  at  the  Pont  Desart's.  He  to  go  on  some 
errand,  and  I  to  come  home. 


OF    AARON    BURR.  51 

Read  two  hours  in  my  Spanish  Grammar.  Made  coffee 
blanc ;  having  no  sugar,  took  of  that  horrid  sirop  de  raisin, 
which,  with  sour  milk,  made  a  mess  unfit  for  man  or  beast ; 
but  swallowed  it,  and  am  still  alive,  as  you  see.  This  morn- 
ing called  on  Mancel  to  inquire  about  Crede.  He  made  a 
hundred  apologies  for  going  off  without  me.  Crede's 
coming  is  uncertain. 

2.  Was  up  at  six;  Sisto  came  at  nine  and  stayed  his 
hour.     I  think  that  in  one  month  I  could  read  Spanish  pretty 
well,  with  three  or  four  hours'  daily  attention.     But  all  this 
day  I  have  not  looked  at  Spanish  since  Sisto  went  off. 

At  eleven  to  Mr.  Griswold's,  and  at  twelve  to  Fonzi's. 
He  asked  me  to  dine  there  with  Vanderlyn.  At  three  to  St. 
Denis  for  Seg.  and  Soc.  At  four  to  Fonzi's,  expecting  to  do 
something  before  dinner;  but  did  nothing.  Met  there  Ma- 
dame de  Launey,  aunt  of  Bernardin  St.  Pierre,  who  amused 
me  with  anecdotes  of  St.  Pierre.  He  has  two  children,  Paul 
et  Virginee.  The  latter  sixteen. 

Came  off  at  seven.  Strolled  an  hour.  Called  on  Gau- 
doin,  to  engage  him  to  go  to  Fonzi's  to  work  for  me  at  six 
to-morrow  morning.  Have  been  reading  two  hours  in  De 
Pratz  to  learn  something  for  Crede. 

3.  Sisto  came  at  nine,  and  I  took  my  lesson.     At  eleven 
to   Mr.  Griswold's.     A  few  minutes  to  Baron  d'Alberg's. 
Out.     To   Valkenaer's.     Out.     To   Fonzi's ;    he   was    en- 
gaged.    Passed  an  hour  with  M.  and  K.     Was  asked  by 
M.  to  dine,  to  which  agreed.     Home  at  two.     I  allow  myself 
sugar ;  but,  madame,  I  have  dismissed  my  barber,  which  is 
a  saving  of  at  least  fifteen  livres  per  month,  and  for  some 
other  discreet  conduct  this  luxury  is  allowed.     At  half  past 
four  to  F.'s.     Met  there  Madame  de  Launey  and  Hernan- 
dez.    The  beautiful  Madame  de  C.  came  in,  and  I  waited 
upon  her  home. 

T  forgot  to  say  that,  coming  from  Valkenaer's  this  morn- 
ing, I  called  and  passed  an  hour  with  her.  Home  at  nine, 
having  drank  tea,  and  not  in  good-humour.  To  make  it 


52  PKIVATE    JOURNAL 

worse,  Jeannet  came  in  most  mal  apropos.  They  have  the 
cursed  Swedish  custom  here  of  not  knocking.  Lay  on  the 
bed,  got  asleep,  and  slept  till  twelve  ;  say  two  hours  vigil, 
and  got  up  and  made  myself  coffee  blanc,  and  now,  at  three 
in  the  morning,  am  writing  to  hussy. 

4.  Slept  till  half  past  eight,  and  rose  perfectly  well,  which 
was  not  expected  after  yesterday's  dinner.     At  eleven  to 
Duke  d'Alberg's,  where  half  an  hour.     He  had  not  seen  the 
minister,  nor  heard   anything  about  me,  but  will  see  him 
this  week.     To  Valkenaer's.     Out.     To  Fonzi's,  where  two 
hours  doing  little,  he  much  engaged.     Home,  and  rumina- 
ting on  the  blessings  of  life.    At  three  set  out  to  Vanderlyn's 
to  dine.     He  had  got  a  note,  asking  him  and  me  to  dine  at 
F.'s,  on  this  being  St.  Francis's  day.     As  the  note  had  no 
date,  I  apprehended  some  mistake,  and  refused   to  go,  but 
sent  off  Vanderlyn,  and  stayed  and  dined  with  his  maid.     At 
six  to  Crede's.    Not  come.     Got  home  extremely  grave,  and 
full  of  devout  reflections  and  sage  resolutions. 

At  nine  came  in  Vanderlyn,  and  explained  the  affair  of 
St.  Francis.  It  is  the  fete  of  the  good  Hernandez,  and  I 
regret  not  to  have  gone  ;  for,  besides  a  pleasant  party,  I  should 
have  saved  seven  francs  and  ten  sous.  The  thing  was  not 
thought  till  I  had  parted  with  Hernandez  this  morning. 
Drank  the  last  of  my  coffee  blanc  this  evening,  so  that  the 
pound  has  lasted  just  three  weeks. 

5.  Sisto  came  at  half  past  nine,  and  stayed  his  hour.     Paid 
him  for  his  four  lessons  twelve  francs,  and  told  him  I  was 
going  to  the  country.     At  eleven  to  Mr.  Griswold's,  to  make 
an  appointment  for  him  to  meet  me  at  one  at  my  house,  on 
Crede's  business.     Thence  to  Valkenaer's,  where  an  hour 
of  very  interesting  conversation.     Then  to  V.'s,  where  bought 
three  little  books  of  Spanish  dialogues,  for  I  am  resolved  to 
read  the  language,  and,  besides,  they  will  do  for  you  and  Gam. 
Home  at  dinner  with  the  family. 

6.  Slept  late  this  morning.     Don't  know  why.     Out  and 
walked.     Came  home  circuitously.     On  the  route  from  this 


OF    AARON    BURR.  53 

to  F.'s  i  must  be  better  known  than  any  hack  coachman. 
After  smoking  my  segar  and  pondering  an  hour,  went  to 
buy  a  sample  of  Molherat's  vinaique  du  bois.  Bought  a  bot- 
tle for  thirty-six  sous.  Out  again  to  get  one  of  Griswold's 
bills  changed.  Got  a  thousand  franc  bill  (about  thirty-nine 
guineas)  changed,  for  which  paid  four  francs  ten  sous. 

At  5  to  Crede's.  He  is  in  town,  but  was  not  at  home. 
Went  home  slowly.  Still  pondering.  Ate  a  pound  of  grapes 
on  my  walk.  Home  at  seven.  To  Fonzi's  again.  He  was 
still  at  the  dinner-table.  Got  rendezvous  for  to-morrow. 

7.  The  mornings  are  already  so  cold  that  I  shudder  at  the 
thoughts  of  getting  out  of  bed.  It  was  eight  before  I  could 
persuade  myself  to  get  up.  At  ten  to  Valkenaer's.  He  had 
company,  so  did  not  go  in,  but  saw  his  friend  Blanc.  To 
Fonzi's ;  engaged,  but  indemnified  myself  with  ****.  To 
Mr.  Griswold's ;  agreed  to  dine  with  him.  To  Fonzi's. 
Had  a  few  minutes  with  him.  Gave  directions  about  one 
piece,  and  got  rendezvous  for  Tuesday.  At  five  to  Gris- 
wold's, whence  to  the  Frascata  to  dine.  After  dinner  we 
walked  to  the  theatre  Francois,  but  I  refused  to  go  in.  Home. 
At  nine  came  in  Vanderlyn,  and  made  us  a  dish  of  tea,  but 
from  seven  to  nine  I  was  otherwise  amused. 

My  affairs  are  quite  stagnant,  and  I  have  no  other  pros- 
pect but  that  of  starving  in  Paris.  To-morrow  I  go  with 
Mr.  Griswold  to  see  a  place  which  he  has  thoughts  of  pur- 
chasing, seven  leagues  off.  Shall  not  be  back  till  Tuesday. 
Was  this  morning  at  Le  Doux,  to  look  at  watches  for  self 
and  Gampillo  !  Self,  I  think,  will  not  get  one. 

9.  A  great  many  interruptions,  particularly  a  note  and 
messenger  from  Credo,  kept  me  till  near  ten  yesterday  be- 
fore I  got  to  Mr.  Griswold's  to  breakfast.  He  had  been 
waiting  half  an  hour  for  me,  which,  for  an  impatient  valetudi- 
narian, is  a  great  deal,  especially  before  breakfast.  After 
breakfast  I  had  to  go  to  F.'s  for  a  memorandum,  another  half 
hour's  delay.  Finally,  at  half  past  eleven,  we  arrived  at  a 
village,  and  was  told  that  our  gig  (chaise)  could  not  go ;  we 


54  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

therefore  left  the  horse  and  chaise,  and  promenaded  about 
a  league.  Walked  over  the  place  and  through  the  house. 
There  are  about  twenty-five  acres,  wood,  meadow,  garden, 
fishpond.  The  house  old,  substantial,  plain,  but  something 
out  of  repair.  Seven  rooms  on  two  floors,  and  some  decent 
garret  rooms.  The  outhouses  spacious.  The  price,  60,000 
francs  ;  about  twelve  thousand  dollars. 

It  is  the  time  of  vintage,  and  along  the  road  one  could  get 
grapes  of  the  girls  who  were  carrying  them  to  the  press ; 
but  in  the  immediate  neighbourhood  there  are  no  vineyards. 
We  walked  back  to  our  horse,  and  then  drove  two  leagues, 
where  we  dined  (supped,  being  eight  o'clock),  slept,  and 
breakfasted.  Our  bill  was  eighteen  francs,  horse  included. 
The  tavern  neat  and  decent,  "  Hotel  du  Nord."  On  our  re- 
turn this  morning  stopped  at  St.  Denis  to  see  the  Cathedral. 
All  the  interior,  and  all  the  monuments  of  kings,  &c.,  were 
destroyed  during  the  revolution.  The  church  has  been  re- 
paired, and  within  is  handsome,  in  the  Gothic  style.  The 
only  good  style  for  churches.  Home  at  two  P.  M. 

Found  a  note  from  Madame  Robertson  to  dine  there  to- 
day, very  pressing.  So  resolved  to  go.  First  to  Fonzi's 
an  hour,  but  did  nothing.  Then  to  Mrs.  Robertson's  to  din- 
ner. Met  there  Jane  Evans  and  Madame  M.  Stayed  till 
near  nine.  My  dinner  at  eight  last  evening  kept  me  awake 
almost  all  night. 

10.  Rose  at  eight.  You  see  I  took  a  great  sleep.  Sor. 
at  ten  to  go  to  Griswold's  about  certain  law  subjects.  To 
Fonzi's  ;  engaged,  but  there  met  Vanderlyn,  and  engaged  to 
dine  with  him  to-day.  Home,  and  read  Souvereignte ;  a 
pamphlet  which  excites  some  attention.  I  cannot  see  why. 
Crede's  son  came  in  with  a  note  and  offer  of  rendezvous  at 
half  past  five.  At  four  to  Fonzi's.  Found  him.  Did  a  lit- 
tle, and  got  rendezvous  for  nine  to-morrow.  Then  slowly 
on  to  Crede's.  No  one  at  home.  Took  a  walk,  though  fa- 
tigued, and  called  at  half  past  five.  No  one  at  home.  Wait- 
ed half  an  hour ;  no  one  came.  Off  to  Vanderlyn's  ;  he  had 


OF  AARON    BURR.  55 

dined.  While  I  was  eating  in  came  Crede,  and  we  walked 
together  and  had  much  conversation.  Then  to  Fonzi's, 
where  Vanderlyn  had  engaged  to  meet  me.  It  was  half 
past  eight  when  I  got  there,  and  every  creature  abed.  Rang, 
but  no  answer.  Home. 

I  have  been  reading  two  hours  in  Cabanis.  It  is,  I  think, 
of  all  the  books  which  I  have  bought  for  you,  that  which  will 
afford  you  the  most  satisfaction.  It  is  exactly  in  your  line, 
being  at  once  medical  and  philosophical ;  so  good-night, 

1 1.  I  went  to  bed  at  twelve.    At  seven  came  in  Jean,  with 
my  milk  and  bread  ;  but  was  so  sleepy  could  not  get  up, 
and  lay  till  eight,  sleeping  hard. 

At  ten  to  Fonzi's.  Found  him  and  Gaudron  at  work  for 
me.  To  Griswold's,  where  an  hour.  It  is  the  most  ana- 
lytic head  of  my  acquaintance  from  America.  To  Fonzi's 
again,  and  there  till  four.  Took  breakfast  with  him  at  one, 
a,  la  fourchette.  Home  at  six,  and  three  eggs  for  dinner  or 
supper  as  you  please.  Jen.  talks  me  to  death;  but  she  is 
so  good  that  I  bear  it  with  the  patience  of  a  jackass. 

12.  Slept  from  twelve  till  waked  by  force  at  half  past 
seven.     Just  so  I  slept  in  England  at  this  season  two  years 
ago.    How  was  it  in  Sweden  and  Denmark  last  year  ?    Please 
to  look  and  tell  me.     At  ten  to  Mr.  Griswold's,  and  proposed 
a  voyage  South,  to  which  he  has  half  consented.     To  Fonzi's 
an  hour.     To  Mancel's  a  few  minutes.     He  had  not  seen 
mons.,  which  was  all  my  errand.     To  Duke  d'Alberg's.     He 
had  seen  the  minister  again.     The  same  answer.     My  affair 
is  with  his  majesty,  who  has  given  no  answer,  and  no  mortal 
can  conjecture  why  not,  nor  when  it  may  be ;  but  I  am  as- 
sured that  the  delay  is  not  from  malevolence.     To  Fonzi's 
again  for  work,  and  then  home.     At  five  went  there  to  dine. 
Met  Hernandez,  Vanderlyri)  and  a  sort  of  mad  Spaniard.    Off 
at  eight  with  Mar.     Drank  too  much  wine.     Home  at  ten. 
Called  on  Griswold  on  the  way ;  all  abroad. 

On   my  arrival  at  home  I  found  a  long  note  from  Mrs. 
Robertson ;  among  other  things,  asking  me  to  call  in  the 
VOL.  II.  4 


56  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

morning  at  dinner,  or  in  the  evening  of  to-morrow,  as  I  might 
choose.  I  shall  reply,  excusing  myself  from  calling  at  all 
to-morrow.  Not  that  I  recollect  having  anything  very  spe- 
cial to  engage  me,  but  I  wont — 

How  one  folly  begets  another,  and  so  on  like  the  holy 
bread  in  the  New  Testament.  Having  drank  too  much  at 
F.'s,  I  got  home,  and  then,  being  disposed  to  drink  more, 
sent  out  Jeannet  at  half  past  ten  for  a  bottle  of  wine  of 
twenty  sous,  though  the  wine  ordinaire  is  twelve  sous ;  and 
now  am  telling  it  all  to  you,  hussy. 

13.  Something  out  of  order  in  the  morning.     Went  out 
without  breakfast.     To  Mr.  Griswold's  for  half  an  hour. 
To  Mrs.  Robertson's,  where  two  hours.     A  headache  came 
on.     Took  oil  of  mint,  rubbed  the  forehead  with  vinegar,  to 
no  effect.     On   my  way  home   called  on  Roux.     He  is  at 
Fontainebleau.     Home  at  three.     Very  chilly,  being  thinly 
clad  and  the  weather  cold.     Lay  down  without  undressing ; 
covered  warm,  and  got  into  a  delicious  sleep,  when  in  comes 
Jeannet,  called  several  times  to  know  if  I  was  asleep.     Re- 
plied yes,  and  sick. 

14.  Jeannet,  faithful  to  her  system  and  seriously  alarmed 
for  my  health,  came  in  at  daylight.     I  was  so  sound  asleep 
that  she  was  obliged  to  shake  me  before  I  woke.     Opened 
my  eyes,  and  lo !  there  she  was  with  my  breakfast. 

At  three  to  Griswold's  and  to  Crede's  ;  both  out.  Left  a 
note  for  Crede.  Home ;  very  cold,  and  no  fire.  My  chim- 
ney does  not  admit  of  fire.  This  evening  read  through 
"  Vues  Nouvelles  sur  les  Courans  d'eau,  la  Navigation  In- 
terieur  el  la  Marine,  par  C.  L.  Duchrest.  Paris,  1803." 
About  200  pages,  with  tables  and  plates,  in  which  1  find 
some  good  sense  and  science. 

15.  Again  Jeannet  came  in  at  dawn,  waked  me,  and  pre- 
sented a  bowl  of  bouillon  gras,  smoking  hot.     I  rose  and 
swallowed  it ;  after  which,  finding  no  appetite  for  breakfast, 
I  was  just  going  to  seek  Crede,  when  in  he  came,  a  few 
minutes  before  nine,  which  is  early  these  cold  mornings,  the 


OF    AARON    BURR.  57 

sun  rising  about  eight.  He  sat  half  an  hour.  Merrihault  is 
gone,  and  I  have  not  seen  him !  At  half  past  nine  to  Mr. 
Gris wold's,  where  took  a  breakfast  of  tea,  &c.  Thence  to 
my  shoemaker,  au  Pal,  Roy.  Hunted  about  there  for  a 
thermometer,  graduated  Reaumur  and  Fahrenheit.  Found 
one  for  five  francs,  but  rather  too  large.  On  to  Pont  Neuf 
on  some  errand,  but  did  not  succeed.  F.'s  to  lounge  an 
hour.  Thence  to  a  German  watchmaker's,  with  whom  I 
have  made  acquaintance;  but  for  what,  won't  tell  now. 
Home  to  dress  for  dinner.  Mr.  Adelle  had  a  snug  little  fire, 
by  which  took  a  warming.  Ate  a  pound  of  grapes,  and  at 
half  past  four  sat  out  for  Mrs.  Robertson's  to  dine.  At  din- 
ner, several,  among  them  a  Mr.  Heath,  an  English  lawyer, 
who  has  lately  come  here  from  London,  having  a  passport 
from  this  government  to  come  and  return,  A  very  pleas- 
ant, well-informed  young  man.  After  dinner  came  in  Mal- 
let, the  banker.  He  is  certainly  nearly  related  to  your  Mal- 
let, but  disavows  it,  and  denies  all  knowledge  of  him,  though 
living  many  years  in  the  same  city,  and  in  the  same  line  of 
business ;  doubtless  they  knew  each  other  well ;  perhaps  too 
well.  Home  at  nine,  and  sat  an  hour  with  the  family  by 
Adelle's  fire.  That  name  reminds  me  of  your  good  and 

amiable  friend .  She  is  married  to  a  man  of  letters 

and  accomplishments,  and  settled  in  an  easy  but  modest 
style  at  Versailles.  I  do  not  learn  that  either  of  her  daugh- 
ters are  married.  M.  has  become  enormously  fat,  as  said 
by  Mrs.  R. 

Have  spent  an  hour  in  roasting  coffee  alablanc,  and  have 
paid  myself  by  a  large  bowl,  bien  sucre.  Called  this  morn- 
ing on  Captain  Skiddy,  but  he  was  out. 

16.  Did  not  go  to  bed  till  two.  Got  asleep  presently. 
Waked  again.  Lay  awake  till  six,  and  then  slept  till  nine. 
At  one  to  Mr.  Griswold's.  Out.  Walked  an  hour  without 
any  object.  Dinner  with  the  family.  In  the  evening  to 
Fonzi's,  where  met  la  belle  De  Cas.  Walked  an  hour  with 
her  on  the  Boulevard,  and  then  home.  Made  myself  coffee 


58  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

blanc,  and  now,  at  half  past  twelve,  am  thinking  of  bed, 
Have  been  reading  this  evening  le  Comte  de  Gorani  on 
Government,  &c.,  translated  into  French  from  the  Italian. 
A  liberal-minded  man,  and  of  some  acquirements,  but  not 
profound.  Something  sombre,  Mr.  Gamp! 

17.  Lay  till  nine,  though  Jeannet  made  me  a  fire  of  her 
own  good  feelings  and  with  her  own  money.     She  said  it 
was  too  cold,  and  that  I  was  not  well,  &c.     At  eleven  to 
Griswold's,  where  an  hour.     Talked  with  him  about  a  spec- 
ulation in  the  Holland  Company  lands.     It  is  the  best  head 
in  the  world  for  such  things  and  for  many  others.     Thence 
on  the  same  subject  to  Valkenaer's,  where  half  an  hour,  and 
then  interrupted  by  a  lady.     It  is  always  so  (unless  when  I 
go  very  early).     He  is  one  of  the  Holland  Company,  and, 
therefore,  I  could  not  have  addressed  myself  to  a  better  source 
for  information.     Thence  on  the  same  subject  to  Swan  at 
St.  Pelasgie,  which  you  recollect  is  about  one  and  a  half 
leagues  from  this.     Dined  with  him,  and  drank  vin  de  Rous- 
sillon  for  the  first  time.     Took  the  address,  and  on  my  way 
home  bought  half  a  dozen  bottles  at  thirty-six  sous  per  bottle  ; 
a  great  extravagance.     But  recollect,  madam,  that  it  is  sev- 
eral weeks  since  I  have  bought  a  single  bottle  of  wine,  so 
that  you  won't  grudge  me  this  luxury.     On  coming  out  from 
the  St.  Pelasgie  it  rained  very  hard.     I  had  no  paraplui,  and 
was  resolved  not  to  take  coach  if  one  had  offered.     Got 
home  wet  to  the  skin,  from  head  to  foot.     Jeannet  made  me 
a  good  fire,  for  my  chimney  was  reformed  a  little.     Changed 
clothes.     Coffee  blanc,  and  am  quite  refreshed. 

18.  At   half  past   eight  to  Mr.  Griswold's,  where    took 
breakfast,  and  talked  over  the  Holland  Company  affair.     To 
Valkenaer's  on  the  same  subject.     He  enters  with  zeal  into 
my  views.     At  twelve  to  Duke  d'Alberg's.     Out.     On  to 
Mrs.  Robertson's.     She  was  with  her  mantuamaker,  in  deep 
consultation  over  half  a  dozen  new  and  very  rich  robes.     I 
was  taken  into  counsel,  which  lasted  an  hour.     Mons.  Ad- 
amson  came  in  and  I  came  out.     Suspect  she  is  going  to 


OF  AARON   BURR.  59 

marry  him,  though  she  denies  it  stoutly.  Home  by  Dr. 
Swediaur's,  where  half  an  hour.  Home  at  six ;  having  re- 
fused to  dine  with  the  family,  took  three  eggs.  Jeannet  has 
kept  me  two  hours  writing  letters  of  business.  So  two  hours 
lost  last  night. 

Yesterday  had  a  note  from  Capt.  Skiddy,  offering  to  take 
charge  of  my  letters  to  the  United  States,  of  which  shall 
profit.  He  has  gone  to  Bourdeaux,  so  that  I  fear  that  I  can- 
not charge  him  with  parcels  for  you  ;  that  is,  books. 

19.  Slept  most  profoundly  till  eight,  which  was  very  ill, 
for  I  ought  to  have  been  at  Duke  d'Alberg's  at  nine.     Seeing 
this  to  be  out  of  the  question  (for  it  takes  me  nearly  two 
hours  to  get  my  breakfast,  shave,  and  dress),  I  went  on 
leisurely,  and  at  eleven,  when  Mr.  Griswold  came  in,  I  had 
not   breakfasted.     Mr.  Griswold    made  me  a  most  liberal 
proposition  on  the  subject  of  the  Holland  Company  affair: 
so  very  liberal  that,  if  I  had  now  a  passport  to  go  to  Am- 
sterdam, I  would  clear  for  myself  ten  thousand  dollars  in  a 
fortnight.     Got  my  brea*kfast  and  off  to  Duke  d'Alberg's,  to 
consult  about  my  passport.     Out.     Took  a  walk  round  by 
Paschaud's,  to  get  news  of  Madame  Paschaud.     Then  to 
Valkenaer's  to  inquire  further  about  Holland  Company  af- 
fairs.    Out.     Home  for  an  hour.     Again  to  the  duke's  at  four. 
Saw  him  for  a  few  minutes.     Was  more  froid  than  usual. 
Thinks  he  can  do  nothing,  and  doubts  my  getting  a  pass- 
port for  Amsterdam  unless  I  first  get  one  from  the  Ameri- 
can consul  here.     The  American  consul  is  that  M'Rae,  the 
lawyer  of  Richmond,  of  whom  you  have  heard,  and  perhaps 
saw  !     Quelle  perspective  ! 

Home,  and  dined  en  famille  with  Madame  Pel.  and  Adelle. 
Treated  ourselves  to  a  bottle  of  my  Roussillon.  In  the 
evening  to  Fonzi's,  where  stayed  till  half  past  nine. 

20.  Another  profound  sleep  of  eight  hours,  which  is  the 
more  extraordinary  as  I  lay  down  full  of  my  Holland  Com- 
pany project.     Made  out  to  dress  and  breakfast  (shaving 
omitted)  in  one  hour.     To  Mr.  Griswold's.     He  continues 


60  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

to  have  faith  in  the  Holland  Company  affair,  and  is  always 
replete  with  good  ideas.  To  Fonzi's  for  a  few  minutes,  and 
then  to  Valkenaer's.  Stayed  there  two  hours.  He  had  ta- 
ken a  good  deal  of  trouble  to  acquire  information  for  me, 
and  manifests  a  desire  to  promote  my  views.  At  my  request, 
he  wrote  replies,  in  the  form  of  a  letter,  to  my  inquiries. 
Home,  and  wrote  a  note  to  Griswold  to  give  me  rendezvous 
to-day,  and  left  the  note  at  his  lodgings.  Home.  A  note 
from  Griswold  that  he  would  be  at  home  till  four.  Called 
on  him  at  four,  and  had  half  an  hour's  talk.  Some  obsta- 
cles, or  rather  doubts,  arise,  of  which  we  made  notes.  To 
Valkenaer's  to  dine  en  famille,  that  we  might  talk  of  Hol- 
land Company.  Just  as  we  sat  down  came  in  M'lle.  H.,  a 
very  lovely  woman,  who,  after  much  pressing,  joined  us  at 
dinner.  We  were  four,  and  the  dinner  was  very  gay,  but 
nothing  more  could  be  said  of  Holland  Company.  Am  to  see 
G.  at  nine  to-morrow  morning. 

Left  Valkenaer  at  seven,  and  to  Fonzi's,  where  met  Van- 
derlyn,  and  the  beautiful  Madame  D*e  C.,  with  her  husband, 
who  has  returned  after  an  absence  of  four  or  five  months. 
Le  Baron  Ramignani  came  in,  and  I  came  off  with  Vander- 
lyn.  Home.  Vanderlyn  made  himself  tea,  of  which  I  did 
not  partake,  having  resolved  that  either  tea  or  coffee  is  a 
mere  tax  in  the  evening;  is  expensive;  at  least,  unnecessa- 
ry :  ergo,  pernicious. 

21.  To  bed  at  eleven,  intending  to  rise  very  early.  Slept 
not  a  wink  till  five  :  ergo,  lay  awake  till  that  hour,  from 
what  cause  I  cannot  imagine,  for  I  had  dined  temperately, 
and  drank  neither  tea  nor  coffee.  Perhaps  from  the  exces- 
sive sleeping  of  the  two  preceding  nights.  When  Jeannet 
came  in  it  looked  dark  and  rained  hard.  She  said  it  was 
seven  o'clock.  Being  engaged  to  breakfast  with  Griswold 
at  nine,  got  up  and  dressed.  Then  to  Fonzi's,  where  an 
hour  doing  nothing,  Gaudron  having  disappointed  us.  Dis- 
covered that  I  had  forgotten  to  set  your  watch.  Instead  of 
nine,  as  I  supposed,  it  was  ten.  Hastened  to  Griswold's, 


OF  AARON  BURR.  61 

who  had  been  waiting  an  hour  for  me.  After  breakfast  and 
talking  of  Holland  Company,  to  Fonzi's  again,  and  there  till 
one;  then  home  to  smoke  my  segar,  &c.  Then  to  St.  Pe- 
lasgie  to  see  Swan  about  the  means  of  getting  a  passport 
from  M'Rae.  There  also  met  Broome.  Then  to  Van- 
derlyn's,  where  we  had  agreed  to  dine.  There  were  Her- 
nandez, and  a  Swedish  painter  or  sculptor.  Fonzi  brought 
a  turkey,  wine,  &c.,  and  we  had  a  feast.  Off  at  eight,  and 
home.  Have  taken  a  good  dose  of  coffee  blanc,  and  shall 
couche  exactly  at  twelve.  I  can  never  sleep  sooner.  Have 
ordered  Jeannet  to  wake  me  at  six,  having  much  on  hand  in 
the  morning. 

Inconsiderately  engaged  to  dine  with  Swan  on  Wednes- 
day, having  engaged  for  that  day  with  Mr.  Griswold  at  Fras- 
cati,  there  to  meet  Baron  Fox  or  Faucks,  who  was  in  the 
United  States  during  the  American  war,  and  has  settled  in 
England. 

22.  Another  night  of  insomnia,  from  what  cause  is  not 
even  suspected.  Went  to  bed  at  twelve.  Lay,  vainly  try- 
ing to  sleep,  till  two.  Got  up,  smoked  segars,  drank  off  my 
Roussillon  wine,  and  again  to  bed.  L/ay  awake  till  four, 
and  rose  at  six.  So  that  for  the  last  three  forty-eight  hours 
have  slept  about  four.  Feel  no  inconvenience,  nor  now,  at 
eleven,  the  least  inclined  to  sleep. 

At  eight  to  Fonzi's,  by  his  appointment.  Abed.  Home 
for  an  hour,  and  then  again  to  his  house,  where  remained 
for  an  hour.  Then  to  Valkenaer's,  where  till  twelve;  always 
amused.  Talked  much  of  Holland  Company  and  other 
matters.  M'lle.,  who  dined  with  us  on  Saturday,  came  in, 
and  then  I  came  off.  Home.  Three  eggs  for  dinner.  At 
five,  sort.  On  the  way  bought  a  book  for  ten  sous.  At 
Vanderlyn's  wrote  a  note  to  Crede,  and  then  home.  Re- 
turning, spent  five  francs,  not  much  to  my  satisfaction.  Shall 
take  no  coffee  blanc,  nor  anything  else  to-night. 

This  morning,  too,  called  on  Griswold  and  passed  an  hour. 
He  continues  in  the  same  disposition  to  support  me  in  the 


62  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

Holland  Company  affair;  but,  alas  !  if  I  should  not  be  able 
to  get  passport,  all  is  lost. 

23.  Slept  profoundly  till  eight.     Jeannet  came  in,  made 
a  firCj  &c.,  without  my  knowledge,  so  hard  did  I  sleep.     At 
eleven  to  Valkenaer's  about  Holland  Company  affairs.    After 
half  an  hour  we  were  interrupted  by  a  lady.     To  the  shoe- 
maker's.    Not  home.     There  is  much  less  punctuality  with 
mechanics  here  than  even  with  us.     Took  a  long  tour  through 
very  dirty  walking.     Home  at  four. 

Mr.  Griswold  came  in  soon  after,  rather  out  of  spirits,  by 
reason  of  a  decree  confiscating  all  colonial  property  in  Spain, 
which  may  affect  him  in  about  fifty  thousand  dollars  by 
affecting  his  debtors  there.  I  greatly  fear  it  will  indispose 
him  for  the  Holland  Company  affair.  He  took  me  to  dine 
with  him  au  Roche's  de  Couchal,  famous  for  excellence  in 
every  sort  of  fish.  We  had  first  soal  or  sole,  which  had 
been  kept  at  least  eight  days.  I  would  not  eat  a  mouthful 
of  it.  Then  turbot,  which  Griswold  found  still  more  stale. 
We  had  the  good  fortune  to  procure  some  potatoes,  simply 
boiled.  Our  dessert  was  a  Charlotte,  which  in  English  means 
an  apple-pie;  the 'which  pie  is  composed  of  two  apples, 
with  a  very  little  molasses  of  raisins  and  a  crust  of  dough, 
which,  when  baked  brown,  was  as  hard  as  marble.  For  this 
dinner  he  paid  twelve  francs,  which,  at  the  present  exchange, 
is  about  three  dollars.  We  had  one  bottle  of  wine  at  fifty 
sous.  He  came  home  with  me.  We  had  a  fire,  and  drank 
a  glass  of  Roussillon,  and  went  off  at  eight.  Then  came  in 
Vanderlyn  and  sat  an  hour.  Roussillon  again. 

24.  Slept  very  sound  till  eight.     As  Jeannet  had  not  come 
in  to  make  my  fire,  turned  over  and  dozed  another  hour, 
and  then  mustered  courage  to  get  up.     Discovered  that  I 
had  locked  my  door.     Jean,  had  made  many  attempts,  but, 
finding  the  door  locked,  supposed  I  wished  to  be  quiet.     Got 
my  breakfast  very  leisurely  about  eleven,  and  wasted  time 
till  near  two,  but  supposed  to  be   only  one.      Sortie  for 
Duke  d'Alberg's ;  but,  on  the  way,  discovering  the  true  time, 


OF    AARON    BURR.  63 

hastened  on  to  St.  Pelasgie,  where  I  had  engaged  to  dine. 
One  cannot  enter  there  afi.er  three.  Finding  that  I  should 
be  too  late  walk  as  fast  as  I  would,  took  cabriole  (twenty 
sous),  and  arrived  one  minute  before  three.  Passed  half  an 
hour  with  that  strange  creature  S.  P.  Broome ;  then  dined 
with  Swan.  The  object  of  my  visit  wholly  failed.  He 
had  not  seen  M'Crea,  nor  heard  from  V.  Stayed  till  half 
past  five.  Home  at  half  past  seven.  Have  eaten  about  a 
pound  of  grapes,  and  drank  a  glass  of  Roussillon. 

25.  Slept  none  till  four.     This  comes  from  lounging  an 
hour  in  bed  yesterday.     At  ten  to  Fonzi's.     Thence  to  Mr. 
Griswold's,  where  an  hour.     He  is  not  in  good  health,  which 
affects  his  spirits,  and  may  discourage  him  from  the  Hol- 
land Company  enterprise.     This  immense  object  will,  I  fear, 
be  lost  by  delays  which  I  can  in  no  way  avoid.     Sat  out  to 
go  to  Mrs.  Robertson's,  but  turned  off  and  went  to  Vander- 
lyn's,  to  see  if  Crede  had  come  to  town.     Not  come,  nor 
anything  heard  of  him.     Everything  combines   to  retard. 
Home,  and  took  three  eggs  for  dinner,  and  about  half   a 
bottle  of  Roussillon.     Then  to  the  nosologer's.     Home  for 
two  hours,  and  then  to  meet  Vanderlyn.     Nothing  of  Crede. 
Home,  and  have  been  reading  newspapers,  and  the  speeches 
of  the  crown  orators  on  the  code  criminelle.     Very  chilly, 
uncomfortable  weather.     Keep  a  small  fire,  but  only  when 
at  home. 

26.  Slept  sound  until  eight.    One  undisturbed  nap.     Took 
things  leisurely,  and  did  not  get  out  till  eleven.     Called  on 
Mr.  Griswold.    To  Fonzi's  half  an  hour.    ToMrs.B.'s.    She 
looks  very  well,  and  says  she  has  dismissed  her  lover,  which 
is  a  good  thing,  but  a  most  outrageous  piece  of  coquetry. 
Home  for  an  hour.     Then  to  Vanderlyn's,  where  I  had  en- 
gaged to  dine.     After  dinner  came  straight  home  and  got  here 
safe.     Have  been  roasting  and  grinding  my  coffee  blanc. 
No  one  else  can  burn  it.     The  Holland  Company  affair  has 
not  advanced  a  whit  to  day. 

Forgot  to  tell  you  that  yesterday  I  wrote  to  Russell  (that 


64  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

Jonathan  Russell,  of  Rhode  Island,  whom  you  have  often 
seen  at  my  house,  and  whom  Armstrong  has  left  charge  des 
affaires)  demanding  a  certificate  of  my  citizenship.  He 
replied,  in  a  very  dry  note,  that  the  business  of  passports  and 
certificates  was  with  the  consul,  to  whom  I  might  apply. 
This  I  knew  before,  and  only  wrote  the  note  to  see  how  he 
would  behave.  The  consul,  you  know,  is  M'Rae,  of  Rich- 
mond. 

It  is  now  one  o'clock  at  night,  that  is,  philosophically 
speaking,  Saturday  morning.  I  was  near  going  to  bed  with- 
out writing  to  you,  for  it  is  very  cold,  and  I  have  only  two 
little  stumps,  about  as  big  as  your  little  fists.  But,  then,  I 
thought  you  would  so  pout ;  so  I  mustered  courage,  and  have 
wrote  all  this,  hussy. 

27.  Rose  without  fire,  dressed,  and  off  to  Variderlyn's  to 
breakfast  before  nine.  He  was  just  up.  Sent  to  inquire 
about  Crede.  Nothing  yet  heard  of  him.  Rather  a  pleas- 
ant day,  but  cold.  This  month  is  like  our  November  in 
New- York,  only  sombre,  and  almost  daily  raining.  After 
breakfast,  home,  and  then  to  Mr.  Griswold's,  where  met  a 
Mr.  Gushing,  of  Boston,  a  stout,  handsome  man  of  about 
forty.  Will  tell  you  a  story  of  him  to  make  you  laugh. 
Thence  to  Rue  du  Bar  to  a  circulating  library,  but  did  not 
engage.  Paid  fifteen  sous  for  a  catalogue.  Thence  to  Place 
St.  Andre,  to  buy  vin  Roussillon.  Got  three  bottles  of  the 
same,  thirty-six  sous,  and  six  of  an  inferior  quality  at  twenty- 
five  sous  per  bottle.  Home.  Dined  with  the  family,  and 
treated  them  with  a  bottle  of  my  best  Roussillon,  this  day's 
purchase  not  having  come  in.  Soon  after  dinner  came  in 
Vanderlyn.  Had  nothing  to  give  him  to  drink,  and  borrowed 
a  bottle  of  vin  ordinaire  of  Jul. 

Read  two  plays  which  I  bought  to-day,  one  Les  Fables 
d'Esopes,  extremely  dull  and  full  of  absurdities.  The  other 
something  belter.  This  morning  my  nosologer,  Hahn,  a 
German,  called.  Received  a  note  from  Swan,  not  very  sat- 
isfactory, about  his  sale  of  lands  for  wine. 


OF    AARON    BURK.  65 

28.  I  sleep  so  sound  that  I  do  not  dream  or  move.     Off 
again  to  Vanderlyn's  to  breakfast,  and  inquire  about  Crede. 
Vanderlyn  has  become  a  little  lazy.     He  promised  me  a 
copy  of  your  picture,  which  has  been  in  his  hands  for  the 
purpose  now  five  months.     For  the  last  four  he  has  not 
touched  it.     Crede,  junior,  came  in  while  we  were  at  break- 
fast.    The  father  not  come  nor  heard  of.     Resolved  to  go 
to  St.  Germain's,  but  changed  my  mind  and  wrote  him  a  let- 
ter.    Home  at  eleven.     Took  a  long  tour  to  hunt  Roche- 
faucauld's  Travels,  which  I  have  often  seen  exposed  on  the 
quais    at   ten  sous  a  volume,  but   could  not  now  find   it. 
Bought  you  six  more  plays  at  six  sous  each.     I  buy  only 
comedies.     Home  at  four. 

Ju.  waked  me  this  morning  at  half  past  seven  with  a  hot 
bouillon  gras  in  her  hand,  to  which  I  submitted  without  re- 
monstrance ;  but  I  cheated  her,  for  I  had  it  in  my  cabinet, 
and  at  four  took  it  for  dinner,  and  found  it  excellent ;  but  she 
happened  to  come  in  while  I  was  eating  it,  and  detected  me. 
She  is  urging  me  very  much  to  go  and  see  her  friend,  a  re- 
spectable, aged,  and  learned  priest.  She  says  he  can  be 
useful  to  me,  and  has  prepared  him  to  receive  me.  I  prom- 
ised J.  that  I  will  go  to-morrow. 

Read  two  of  your  plays,  both  tolerable.  Le  Statu  in  one 
act,  and  Les  Egaists  ir.  four.  In  the  latter  the  chamber  of 
the  count  is  a  true  portrait  of  a  father  and  a  son  of  the  time 
present.  Cold,  and  Gamp,  has  no  fire  in  this  room,  and 
very  little  in  t'other. 

29.  Slept  from  twelve  to  half  past  seven,  and  then  it  took 
J.  half  an  hour  to  wake  me.     In  the  name  of  God,  am  I 
henceforth  to  be  such  a  Sybatite  ?     I  live  very  temperately, 
and  lake  only  moderate  exercise,  and  have  no   fatigue  of 
mind,  except   when  I  think   of  your  being   in   those  vile 
swamps. 

Ma.  J.  came  in  before  I  was  up.  Wrote  Mr.  M'Rae, 
asking  certificate  of  citizenship.  Received  by  the  messen- 
ger, verbally,  that  he  would  send  an  answer.  I  expect  some 


66  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

vulgar  impertinence,  coupled  with  a  refusal.  Have  I  told 
you  that  the  Duke  A.  says  if  I  can  get  a  certificate  from  the 
American  consul,  I  shall  have  no  farther  difficulty  about  a 
passport.  Hence  my  application  to  Russell  and  to  M'Rae. 
If  the  latter  answers  insolently,  the  only  revenge  I  will  take 
(for  revenge,  you  know,  is  not  in  my  nature)  will  be  to  pub- 
lish his  letter. 

At  eleven  to  L'Abbe  Relins,  1'ami  de  J.  He  is  a  soixant 
dixgenaire  et  alitre.  Sits  up  in  his  bed.  A  very  benign, 
cheerful,  intelligent  man.  Received  me  with  that  air  of 
kindness  which  seems  his  nature.  Proposed  to  introduce 
me  to  an  American  who  would  put  me  in  the  way  to  get  on, 
and  to  a  clerk  in  the  department  of  foreign  affairs.  He  has 
not  the  remotest  idea  who  I  am,  for  Ju.  did  not  mention  my 
name  (indeed,  she  cannot  pronounce  it  intelligibly),  only  that 
I  was  a  stranger,  unfortunate,  and  wanting  a  passport.  The 
abbe  asked  me  if  I  was  from  Germany.  I  am  more  often 
taken  for  a  German  than  for  English  or  American.  I  did 
not  mention  my  name,  but,  seeing  that  he  had  many  persons 
waiting,  proposed  to  call  at  a  moment  of  less  occupation. 
He  named  Thursday  next  at  eleven  A.  M.  I  shall  certainly 
call  at  the  hour,  if  it  be  only  to  see  him  again,  and  to  suffer 
him  to  believe  that  he  has  been  useful  to  me.  Poor  Ju. 
almost  shed  tears  of  joy  when  I  related  how  kindly  the  abbe1 
had  received  me. 

At  one,  on  my  way  to  Mr.  Griswold's,  met  him  in  the 
street  coming  to  see  me.  Went  to  his  quarters  and  sat  an 
hour.  He  is  still  firm  in  the  Holland  Company  affair. 
Thence  to  Swediaur's,  where  half  an  hour.  Read  there  the 
imperial  decree  for  seizing  and  burning  all  British  goods. 
Home.  Madame  P.  asked  me  to  dine.  Refused.  My 
twenty-five  sous  wine  is  detestable,  and  has  no  sort  of  re- 
semblance to  the  vrai  Roussillon  at  thirty-six  sous.  Indeed, 
my  dear  little  Theo.,  you  must  not  scold  if  I  take  pretty 
nearly  a  bottle  a  day  of  the  vrai  Roussillon.  By  way  of 
compensation,  will  drink  neither  tea  nor  coffee  in  the  evening, 


OF    AARON    BURR.  67 

never  dine  at  a  restaurateur's,  and  eke  out  a  pound  casson- 
ade  a  fortnight ;  and,  when  I  have  no  more  money,  I  will 
drink  water.  To  Fonzi's  at  four.  Asked  me  to  dine.  Re- 
fused. To  shoemaker's.  A  pair  at  length  done,  but  don't 
suit.  Oh  !  I  have  a  terrible  story  to  tell  you  about  Mr. 
Abel :  Goody  grashees,  it  would  have  kept  me  in  Roussillon 
for  six  weeks  at  a  bottle  a  day  !  But  you  must  wait  a  lit- 
tle. It  would  disturb  my  slumbers  to  tell  it  to-night.  Took 
two  eggs  for  my  supper. 

Have  removed  my  writing-table  from  my  cabinet  to  my 
bedroom,  where  have  a  little  fire,  else  you  would  not  have 
had  half  so  much  Journal. 

30.  My  slumbers  were  sufficiently  disturbed  by  those  two 
eggs.     To  Mancel's  to  return  his  vinaique  pamphlet.     He 
was  out.     To  Volney's.     Found  his  house  full  of  carpenters 
and  masons ;  and,  seeing  him  with  a  new  wig,  charged  him 
home  with  machinating  matrimony,  which  he  confessed.     It 
is  to  take  place  in  four  days.     There  are  many  obstacles  to 
marriage  here,  created  by  law,  in  addition  to  those  which 
arise  from  the  state  of  society.     Not  so  many,  however,  as 
formerly.     The  publication,  the  civil  ceremony,  and  the  re- 
ligious ceremony. 

Home.  Mr.  Griswold  called,  and,  without  my  knowledge, 
was  denied.  Called  on  him.  Out.  At  four  he  came  again, 
a  little  discomposed  by  a  rencounter.  He  asked  me  to  go 
and  dine  with  him.  Went,  where  we  had  good  fish  and 
good  potatoes,  a  I'Americain.  He  has  made  a  communica- 
tion about  our  Holland  Company  affair,  which,  I  fear,  may 
spoil  all.  He  thinks  not ;  but  it  has  put  me  quite  in  a  fever. 
Think  I  must  immediately  try  to  get  a  passport  for  Holland 
and  go  off. 

31.  Slept  without  interruption,  and  so  sound  that  Jean, 
found  it  difficult  to  wake  me.     At  nine  came  in  my  tailor, 
and  at  ten  Mr.  Abel.     The  matter  is  not  quite  so  bad  as  I 
feared,  but  still  bad  enough. 

At  eleven  to  Valkenaer's,  where  an  hour.     He  has  put  out 


68  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

of  my  head  going  now  to  Holland,  and  thinks  he  can  manage 
the  thing  better  by  writing.  He  wrote  in  my  presence,  and 
sent  the  letter  to  the  office. 

To  Swediaur's  half  an  hour.  To  Griswold's  half  an  hour. 
Home  to  dinner.  Mr.  G.  came  in  while  I  was  eating.  At 
half  past  four  took  a  long  stroll  along  the  Boulevard.  Bought 
you  twelve  volumes  of  different  things  (octavos).  Think 
I  will  buy  you  no  more,  except  a  few  plays,  and  some  pretty 
books  for  Gampillus. 

On  my  way  home  met  Mr. ,  who  invited  me  to  go 

home  with  him  to  communicate  something.  It  is,  that  the 
Americans  here  have  entered  into  a  combination  against 
Aaron  Burr.  That  every  man  who  speaks  to  him  shall  be 
shunned  as  unworthy  of  society.  That  no  master  of  vessel, 
or  any  other  person,  shall  take  any  letter  or  parcel  for  him, 
or  other  like  benevolent  things;  all  which  amused  me,  but 
alarmed  my  friend.  The  most  violent  of  this  association  is 
a  young  Seaman,  son  of  Edmund  Seaman,  of  New- York. 

More  of  the  like.     Mr. ,  of  Boston,  related  in  a  large 

company,  that  he,  being  on  a  jury  at  Boston  last  summer  on 
an  insurance  case  of  the  Herkimer,  Judge  Chase  presiding 
and  Luther  Martin  one  of  the  lawyers,  on  some  dispute  be- 
tween them,  the  judge  said  to  Martin,  "  I  am  surprised  that 
you  can  so  prostitute  your  talents."  Martin  replied,  "  I  never 
prostituted  my  talents  except  when  I  defended  you  and 
Colonel  Burr;"  and  added,  in  the  hearing  of  the  jury,  "  a 
:ouple  of  the  greatest  rascals  in  the  world." 

A  Mr.  Thompson,  of  Charleston,  South  Carolina,  a  Scotch- 
man, but  naturalized  in  the  United  States,  now  settled  here, 
being  asked  if  he  had  called  on  Colonel  Burr,  said,  "  No; 
and  no  good  American  would  call  on  him." 

I  have  been  reading  all  the  evening  in  Mazzei's  Recher- 
ches  sur  les  Etats  Unis,  3  vols.  octavo.  This  is  the  same 
Mazzei  to  whom  Thomas  Jefferson  addressed  a  letter,  which 
has  been  published  in  the  American  papers.  Found  him 
rather  dull. 


OF  AARON  BURR.  69 


TO  THE  DUKE  OF  ROVIGO. 

Paris,  September  14, 1810. 

Some  days  ago  you  did  me  the  honour  to  say  that  his  ma- 
jesty had  consented  to  my  request  for  a  passport,  and  yes- 
terday Mons.  le  Due  d'Alberg  informed  me  that  he  was  au- 
thorized by  your  excellency  to  say  that  I  could  have  my 
passport  whenever  I  should  please  to  require  it.  I  address- 
ed myself  forthwith  to  Mons.  Saugnier,  le  secretaire  de  la 
police  general,  who  replied  that  he  could  do  nothing  without 
the  orders  of  your  excellency,  and  that  he  had  received  no 
such  orders. 

I  went  then  to  le  chef  du  Bureau,  and  was  answered  to 
the  same  effect.  Apprehending,  therefore,  that  my  request 
may  have  escaped  your  excellency's  recollection,  I  take  the 
liberty  of  recalling  it  to  your  memory,  and  of  requesting 
that  you  would  be  pleased  to  give  the  necessary  instruc- 
tions, that  I  may  not  be  further  delayed.  A.  BURR. 

TO    THEODOSIA. 

Paris,  September  26,  1810. 

Not  a  line  from  you  since  the  letter  of  August,  1809,  which 
was  acknowledged  from  Gottenburg.  I  beg,  therefore,  that 
you  will  repeat  all  you  may  have  written  me  of  business, 
and  with  as  much  detail  as  possible,  in  a  letter  which  you 
must  enclose  to  Gahn,  who  will  know  how  to  forward  to  me. 

The  time  of  my  return  has  become  more  uncertain  than  I 
thought  it  when  I  wrote  you  in  the  spring,  from  a  difficulty 
in  getting  a  passport.  Yet  I  have  little  doubt  of  being  with 
you  next  spring.  Still,  do  not  omit  to  write  as  above  directed. 

I  have  a  few  books  for  you,  particularly  dictionaries,  out 
can  send  nothing  by  this  opportunity.  Gampillo  ha?  not 
been  forgotten.  My  health  is  always  the  same  ;  but  I  ennui 
here  for  want  of  you  and  your  boy.  My  stock  of  non- 
sense to  amuse  you  both  increases  daily,  and  we  shall  have 
a  deal  to  laugh  at.  A.  BURR. 


70  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 


TO    JONATHAN    RUSSELL. 

Paris,  October  25, 1810. 

Mr.  Burr  presents  respectful  compliments.  As  a  citizen 
of  the  United  States,  he  requests  of  Mr.  Russell  an  official 
certificate  to  that  effect,  and  will  have  the  honour  of  calling 
for  the  purpose  at  any  hour  which  he  may  be  pleased  to 
name.  The  fact  of  Mr.  Burr's  citizenship  being  sufficiently 
known  to  Mr.  Russell,  it  is  presumed  that  other  proof  will 
be  deemed  unnecessary. 

FROM    JONATHAN    RUSSELL. 

Paris,  October  25,  1810. 

In  reply  to  Mr.  Burr's  note  of  this  morning,  Mr.  Russell 
begs  leave  to  inform  him  that  the  province  of  granting  pass- 
ports to  citizens  of  the  United  States  belongs  to  the  consul, 
to  whom  all  wishing  for  that  protection  must  apply. 

TO  MR.  M'RAE. 

Paris,  October  29,  1810. 

Mr.  Burr  presents  compliments.  Having  presented  him- 
self to  Mr.  Russell  for  a  certificate  of  citizenship,  has  been 
informed  by  him  that  the  business  of  granting  certificates 
was  transferred  to  the  consul.  He  therefore  repeats  the 
request  to  Mr.  M'Rae.  If  a  personal  attendance  be  deemed 
necessary,  Mr.  Burr  will  wait  on  Mr.  M'Rae  for  the  purpose 
»t  any  hour  he  may  be  pleased  to  appoint. 

FROM  MR.  M'RAE. 

Paris,  Oct.  29,  1810. 

Mr.  M'Rae  answers  to  Mr.  Burr's  note  of  this  morning, 
that  his  knowledge  of  the  circumstances  under  which  Mr. 
Burr  left  the  United  States  renders  it  his  duty  to  decline 
giving  Mr.  Burr  either  a  passport  or  a  permis  de  sejour. 
If,  however,  the  opinion  Mr.  M'Rae  has  formed,  and  the 


OF    AARON    BURR.  71 

determination  he  has  adopted  on  this  subject  be  erroneous, 
there  is  a  remedy  at  hand. 

Although  the  business  of  granting  passports  and  permis 
de  sejour  generally  is  confided  to  the  consul,  the  charge  des 
affaires  unquestionably  possesses  full  authority  to  grant  pro- 
tection in  either  of  those  forms  to  any  person  to  whom  it 
may  be  improperly  denied  by  the  consul. 

TO    MR.    RUSSELL. 

Paris,  November  1,  1810. 

On  receipt  of  Mr.  Russell's  note,  Mr.  Burr  applied  to  the 
consul ;  a  copy  of  his  reply  is  herewith  enclosed.  It  cannot 
be  material  to  inquire  what  are  the  "circumstances"  referred 
to  by  the  consul,  or  whether  true  or  false.  Mr.  Burr  is 
ignorant  of  any  statute  or  instruction  which  authorizes  a 
foreign  minister  to  inquire  into  any  circumstances  other 
than  those  which  tend  to  establish  the  fact  of  citizen  or  not. 
If,  however,  Mr.  Russell  should  be  of  a  different  opinion, 
Mr.  Burr  is  ready  to  satisfy  him  that  no  circumstances  exist 
which  can,  by  any  construction,  in  the  slightest  degree  im- 
pair his  rights  as  a  citizen,  and  that  the  conclusions  of  the 
consul  are  founded  in  error,  either  in  points  of  fact  or  of 
inference.  Yet,  conceiving  that  every  citizen  has  a  right  to 
demand  a  certificate  or  passport,  Mr.  Burr  is  constrained  to 
renew  his  application  to  Mr.  Russell,  to  whom  the  consul 
has  been  pleased  to  refer  the  decision. 

FROM   MR.    RUSSELL. 

Paris.  November  4, 1810. 

Without  subscribing  to  the  opinion  of  Mr.  M'Rae,  with 
regard  to  the  appeal  that  lays  from  the  erroneous  decisions 
of  the  consul  to  the  charge  des  affaires,  Mr.  Russell  has  no 
objection  to  judging  the  case  which  Mr.  Burr  has  presented 
to  him. 

The  man  who  evades  the  offended  laws  of  his  country, 

abandons,  for  the  time,  the  right  to  their  protection.     This 
VOL.  II.  5 


72  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

fugitive  from  justice,  during  his  voluntary  exile,  has  a  claim 
to  no  other  passport  than  one  which  shall  enable  him  to 
surrender  himself  for  trial  for  the  offences  with  which  he 
stands  charged.  Such  a  passport  Mr.  Russell  will  furnish 
to  Mr.  Burr,  but  no  other. 

JOURNAL. 

Paris,  November  1, 1810.  Slept,  as  usual,  my  eight  hours 
without  turning  or  dreaming.  This  sort  of  sleeping  is  stri- 
king out  of  existence  so  much  time.  What  has  got  into  me 
to  sleep  at  this  rate  ?  I,  whom  three  or  four  hours  formerly 
satisfied.  Was  engaged  to  call  on  the  abbe  at  eleven.  I 
got  there  a  quarter  before  twelve.  He  has  been  alete  these 
six  years  by  a  disorder  in  the  knee,  as  I  believe  I  told  you 
before.  He  received  me  with  that  complacency  which 
seems  to  be  his  nature.  At  another  time  I  will  tell  you  his 
history,  his  escapes  from  the  guillotine  during  the  revolution, 
&c.  I  told  him  my  name,  and  that  my  desire  was  a  pass- 
port to  return  to  my  country.  He  was  quite  confounded  to 
learn  that  I  had  already  been  presented  to  several  ministers, 
and  had  access  to  them,  and  seemed  to  be  in  despair  about 
rendering  me  any  service.  At  length,  however,  he  thought 
that  M'lle.  Vauxhall  was  my  mark.  That  she  could  give 
me  counsel,  &c.,  and  he  wrote  a  note  of  introduction  to  m'lle., 
which  I  engaged  to  deliver.  What  coulcl  have  put  it  into 
the  good  old  man's  head,  that  nothing  but  a  young  lady 
could  serve  my  purpose  ?  He  remarked  that  m'lle.  was 
not  young,  but  had  two  sisters  much  younger  than  herself. 
I  shall  see  m'lle.  as  soon  as  possible,  and  tell  you  how  things 
are  ;  but  have  very  little  hope  of  advancing  the  passport 
business  thereby.  Home,  and  thence  to  Fonzi's,  and  then 
to  Horologus,  to  whom  I  paid  twenty-two  louis  for  a  watch. 
Now  don't  scold,  for  I  can  sell  it  for  the  same  money  as 
soon  as  I  shall  have  no  other  means  of  getting  bread.  A 
period  which  is  not  very  distant,  unless  something  shall  grow 
out  of  Holland  Company  affair. 


OF    AARON    BURR.  73 

Home  again,  and  at  four  set  off  for  Vanderlyn's,  having 
advised  him  some  days  ago  that  I  should  dine  with  him  to- 
day, expecting  Crede  in  town,  and  having  given  him  rendez- 
vous at  VandeHyn's  from  five  to  seven.  At  six  Crede  came 
in  and  Vanderlyn  went  out.  Sat  till  eight  with  Crede,  and 
then  we  parted,  he  engaging  to  breakfast  with  me  to-morrow. 
Found  our  house  all  in  uproar.  A  party  given  by  young 
Pic.  et  ux  to  their  young  friends.  There  were  about 
twenty.  Two  of  the  gentlemen  played  well  on  the  violin, 
and  took  turns.  Several  of  the  dames  danced  yery  well. 
One  of  the  Juliens  and  Mr.  A.  only  attracted  my  particular 
notice.  There  was  one  other  called  beautiful ;  a  round- 
faced,  goggle-eyed,  insipid  thing  to  my  view.  I  left  the 
party  at  twelve,  and  so  forthwith  to  bed,  though  the  gayety 
below  is  extremely  clamorous. 

2.  Waked  at  half  past  eight.  Was  astonished  to  see  a 
fire  and  the  materials  for  breakfast  all  prepared.  Jul.  had 
done  all  this,  and  I  had  heard  nothing,  so  sound  did  I  sleep. 
Intended  to  have  gone  early  to  Duke  d'Alberg's  and  to  Valk.'s ; 
but  this  eternal  sleeping  spoils  all.  Crede  came  in  at  half 
past  nine,  and  I  was  then  scarcely  ready  to  receive  him. 
Had  a  great  breakfast.  Jul.  had  bought  a  pound  of  ham ; 
thirty-two  sous.  Don't  be  alarmed.  It  will  last  me  a  week. 
We  talked  much,  and  he  went  off  at  half  past  ten.  At  half 
past  eleven  to  D'Alberg's.  Out.  To  Fonzi's,  where  half  an 
hour.  To  Mr.  Griswold's.  Out. 

Forgot  to  tell  you  that  yesterday  morning  wrote  a  note 
to  Russell,  the  charge  d'affaires  (see  the  copy),  to  which 
no  reply  has  yet  been  received. 

At  three  to  Swediaur's,  and  thence  to  Griswold's.  Left  a 
note,  requesting  him  to  be  at  home  till  half  past  twelve 
to-morrow.  To  which  received  answer  this  evening,  as- 
senting. 

To  D'Alberg's,  whom  saw,  and  received  me  with  his  usual 
complacency,  but  had  nothing  to  communicate.  Advised 
me,  however,  to  call  on  Mons.  Serrurier,  who  has  been 


74  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

named  minister  to  the  United  States  in  the  room  of  Turreau. 
Will  think  of  it.  Home.  Dinner  on  a  slice  of  the  said  ham, 
and  some  of  the  twenty-five  sous  wine,  which  is  detestable. 
It  is  impossible  that  I  should  ever  get  it  all  down,  and  I  will 
positively  go  to-morrow  and  change  it  for  the  real  Roussillon. 
At  six  to  Vanderlyn's  to  meet  Crede,  who  came  in  at  thp 
same  moment. 

Received  a  note  this  evening  from  Mrs.  Robertson,  asking 
me  to  make  her  a  law  paper,  in  a  great  hurry,  as  all  women 
always  are. 

3.  Certain  personal  concerns  kept  me  up  till  two.  Waked, 
wide  awake,  at  six.  Got  up,  lighted  candle,  made  fire.  Jul. 
came  in  at  half  past  seven,  and  greatly  astonished  to  find  me 
at  breakfast,  having  had  bread  and  milk  enough  of  yesterday. 
At  ten  to  Valkenaer's,  where  an  hour  and  a  half.  How 
good  he  is.  I  deposited  with  him  two  thousand  five  hun- 
dred francs,  about  five  hundred  dollars.  Now  you  will  mar- 
vel how  I  could  possibly  raise  so  enormous  a  sum  (one  hun- 
dred guineas  !)  ;  that  was  my  business  all  yesterday,  which 
I  did  not  then  tell  you,  not  knowing  whether  Valkenaer 
would  take  the  trouble  ;  not  a  little,  I  assure  you.  Your 
watch  and  your  ring  are  both  pawned  for  one  thousand  francs 
(two  hundred  dollars) ;  this,  with  the  remains  of  the  sum 
had  some  time  ago  of  Griswold,  as  then  mentioned,  made 
this  bank.  On  casting  up  my  remains,  find  I  have  left  just 
twenty-one  dollars.  If,  therefore,  the  speculation  should 
fail— 

From  Valkenaer's  went  to  Grisvvold's.  There  I  was 
disappointed.  He  had  proposed  to  venture  for  me  2000 
dollars,  but  had  changed  his  mind.  I  showed  him  V.'s  re- 
ceipt ;  but  no.  So  back  to  V.'s  and  gave  him  his  receipt, 
for  I  would  not  ask  a  receipt  from  a  man  who  takes  so 
much  trouble  for  me  gratis.  V.  seemed  extremely  sensible 
to  this  delicacy. 

Again  to  Griswold's  to  get  his  writer  to  copy  Mrs.  Rob- 
ertson's law  paper.  G.  helped  me  to  draw  it.  Home  at 


OF    AARON    BURR.  75 

three.  Took  ham  and  eggs  for  dinner,  with  a  good  cup  of 
real  Roussillon.  Wrote  Mrs.  Robertson  for  farther  infor- 
mation., and  sent  commissionaire.  Note. — We  are  at  least 
one  league  apart.  Sor.  at  five  to  marchande  de  vin,  to  get 
him  to  take  back  his  infernal  twenty-five  sous  wine  and 
give  me  the  other,  which  he  very  cheerfully  agreed  to.  To 
my  new  shoemaker's.  Not  done.  The  mechanics  here,  I 
tell  you,  are  far  worse  than  in  America.  Home  at  seven. 
Jul.  brought  me  a  nice  hot  bouillon  gras,  which  I  took  with 
great  satisfaction. 

I  may  as  well  tell  you  now  of  my  economy  in  this  wine 
affair.  Eating  my  bread  and  cheese,  and  seeing  half  a  bot- 
tle of  the  twenty-five  sous  wine  left,  I  thought  it  would  be 
too  extravagant  to  open  a  bottle  of  the  bon ;  so  I  tried  my 
best  to  get  down  the  mauvaise,  constantly  thinking  of  the 
other,  which  was  in  sight,  and  trying  to  persuade  myself  to 
give  Gamp,  some  of  that ;  but  no.  I  stuck  to  the  bad,  and 
got  it  all  down.  Then,  to  pay  myself  for  this  act  of  hero- 
ism, treated  him  to  a  large  tumbler  of  the  vrai  Roussillon, 
and  sallied  forth  to  my  marchand  de  vin  to  engage  him  to 
exchange  the  residue.  You  see  I  am  of  Lantara's  opinion, 
that  though  a  man  may  be  a  little  the  poorer  for  drinking 
good  wine,  yet  he  is,  under  its  influence,  much  more  able  to 
bear  poverty. 

Now,  as  I  live,  I  don't  think  that  among  your  plays  I  have 
bought  you  Lantara,  though  I  have  seen  it  twice  with  pleas- 
ure. You  shall  have  it  to-morrow.  Just  now  a  note  from 
Mrs.  Robertson  with  the  farther  information,  and  requesting 
me  to  dine  to-morrow.  Have  declined  the  dinner.  Jul. 
has  promised  to  buy  me  potatoes.  I  shall  dine  better  at 
home  ;  and,  then,  such  a  trouble  to  dress  and  walk  a  league. 
No  answer  yet  from  Mr.  Russell. 

4.  Hopes  of  reformation.  To  bed  at  twelve.  Rose  at 
six,  and  again  dressed  and  took  breakfast  by  candlelight.  I 
cannot  account  for  this  caprice.  It  is  impossible  to  sleep 
better.  Always  one  sound  nap ;  but  it  varies  from  five  to 


76  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

eight  hours.  At  nine  to  Mr.  Griswold's.  He  was  just  up 
More  cool  and  shy  than  usual.  Also,  had  heard  a  report 
extremely  unfavourable  to  my  friend  Valk.,  of  which  I  don't 
believe  one  word.  I  would  trust  my  life  with  him.  The 
people  of  this  place  are  prone  to  detraction.  If  a  man 
speaks  of  his  nearest  friend  (profanity),  it  is  with  several 
buts.  The  women  I  think  less  given  to  that  vice  than  the 
men. 

Thence  to  deliver  the  letter  and  see  the  friend  of  the 
abbe.  A  walk  of  about  one  league  to  the  Post  St.  Antoine. 
M'lle.  Vauxhall  is  a  smart,  sensible  English  woman  of 
fifty-five.  The  brother  not  at  home.  Stayed  a  few  minutes, 
and  engaged  to  breakfast  with  her  and  him  at  nine  to-mor- 
row. To  Le  Doux's.  Out.  To  Fonzi's  half  an  hour,  and 
engaged  to  dine  with  him.  Home  to  wait  for  Mr.  G.'s  mes- 
senger with  the  copy  of  Mrs.  Robertson's  law  paper.  He 
came  at  three  with  the  paper  handsomely  copied.  On  pe- 
rusal, found  it  so  full  of  errors  that  another  copy  is  indis- 
pensable. Off  to  Mr.  Griswold's,  in  whose  employ  the  wri- 
ter is.  All  out.  Then  took  a  long  stroll,  being  a  wet,  misty, 
chilly  day,  as  has  been  the  greater  part  of  the  last  five 
weeks.  At  five  to  Fonzi's ;  met  there  Hernandez,  and  a 
very  handsome  young  man.  All  very  social. 

In  Spain,  when  the  bell  rings  all  kneel ;  even  at  the  the- 
atre, in  the  most  interesting  scene,  the  audience  kneel,  and 
the  actors  become  statues.  Another  by  Gamp,  of  the  effect 
of  tragedy  in  Paris — applaud  and  encore  a  very  pathetic 
speech  or  action  ! 

There  has  been  a  great  feast  at  our  house  to-day,  at  which 
I  was  not  invited  ;  but,  when  I  came  in,  madam  scolded  me 
very  politely  for  going  away  without  saying  anything.  They 
were  distressed  at  my  absence.  Vanderlyn,  for  some  months 
past,  has  been  urging  me  to  join  him  in  a  little  menage,  to 
which,  some  days  ago,  when  despairing  of  a  passport,  I  con- 
sented. To-day  he  told  me  that  he  had  found  lodgings,  but 
that  there  was  only  accommodation  for  himself,  and  no  room 

for  rr\a 


OF    AARON    BURR.  77 

Am  in  great  distress  about  Mrs.  Robertson's  paper,  for 
I  had  promised  it  to  her  to-morrow  morning,  and  it  will  not 
be  done  till  night.  You  women  are  always  in  such  a  hurry. 
In  a  debate  to-day  about  women,  Gamp.,  as  always,  defend- 
ing, Vanderlyn  says  the  reason  is,  their  heads  are  so  empty  ! 

5.  The  reformation  continues,  and  I  have  hopes  that  this 
stupor  will  pass  off.  At  eight  to  breakfast  with  M'lle.  Vaux- 
hall,  being  distant  about  one  league.  M'lle.  had  told  me 
that  Mr.  V.  was. very  early;  that  he  breakfasted  at  eight, 
and  went  out  at  nine,  but  gave  me  nine  for  the  hour.  I  was 
there  ten  minutes  before  nine  ;  Mr.  and  m'lle.  were  abed.  I 
cooled  myself  this  fine  November  morning  (a  drizzling  rain 
and  chilling  north  wind)  for  half  an  hour  in  a  room  without 
a  fire.  The  younger  sister  (who  has  a  daughter  of  nineteen) 
was  up.  She  told  me  that  Mr.  Whitesides  would  be  down 
immediately.  Mr.  Whitesides !  I  know  nothing  of  Mr. 
Whitesides,  madame.  I  called  to  see  M'lle.  and  Mr.  Vaux- 
hall.  Yes,  sir,  the  French  can't  say  Whitesides,  because 
they  have  no  W  in  their  alphabet,  and  so  they  call  him 
Vauxhall.  At  length  they  came  in.  We  had  a  breakfast 
i  1'Angloise.  They  appear  gened,  and  can  be  of  no  use  to 
me.  He,  however,  mentioned  to  me  Mr.  Randall,  of  New- 
York,  an  acquaintance  of  my  youth,  as  one  who  would  see 
me  with  pleasure.  To  Le  Doux's.  He  speaks  greatly  in 
favour  of  my  watch,  as  excellent  work,  and  very  cheap. 

At  twelve  to  Mr.  Griswold.  Was  not  so  cool,  but  less 
zealous  in  the  Holland  Company.  Thrice  to  my  rendezvous 
to  dine  with  the  C.'s,  who  did  not  come.  So  dined  alone. 
An  excellent  dinner  in  a  very  poor-looking  house.  Madame, 
I  am  writing  (now  I  think  on't)  in  the  utmost  pain.  After 
my  first  walk,  near  the  Pont  Neuf,  got  badly  wounded  in  the 
foot  by  one  of  those  hacks ;  the  story  is  too  long  to  write. 
Got  home  as  well  as  I  could.  The  foot  so  swollen  that  I 
was  obliged  to  cut  open  the  boot.  Jul.  is  now  bathing  it 
with  vinegar.  Do  remind  me  to  tell  you  of  a  case  of  con- 
science which  has  grown  out  of  this  matter.  Mrs.  Robert- 


78  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

son's  paper  has  come  in  handsome  and  correct.  A  note 
from  her  this  afternoon  announcing  that  she  sets  off  for  Eng- 
land on  Thursday. 

6.  That  vile  fool  kept  me  in  such  pain  that  I  had  no  re- 
pose till  just  five.  At  nine  Jul.  waked  me  with  a  smoking 
bouillon  gras  in  her  hand.  This  I  refused  to  take,  and  at 
length  persuaded  her  to  put  it  by  for  dinner,  and  to  make  me 
my  coffee  blanc.  With  much  labour,  got  out  of  bed  at  eleven. 
Could  not  put  the  foot  to  the  floor.  Bathed  it  in  cold  vine- 
gar, and  have  continued  the  process  all  day.  It  has  pro- 
duced miracles,  and  now,  at  eleven  P.  M.,  I  can  hobble  over 
the  floor  without  pain. 

Before  I  was  out  of  bed  this  morning,  a  messenger  from 
Mrs.  Rob.,  with  invitation  to  dine,  which,  of  course,  declined. 
Sent  her  papers. 

At  one  came  Mr.  Fenwick,  late  consul.  I  did  not  recol- 
lect him,  though  he  is  not  much  altered  in  ten  years.  It  was 
a  mere  visit  of  civility  and  to  tender  services.  Wrote  notes 
to  Swediaur  and  to  Crede.  At  four  Mrs.  Robertson's  ser- 
vant to  inquire  about  the  foot.  Proposing  to  send  her  car- 
riage for  me  at  four  to  propose  some  alteration  in  the  papers. 
Consented  to  go  in  her  carriage  at  four. 

A  note  this  evening  from  Mr.  Russell,  in  reply  to  that 
which  I  wrote  him  on  the  first  inst.  He  says  that,  as  a  fu- 
gitive from  justice,  A.  Burr  is  entitled  to  no  protection,  and 
other  like  things,  which  you  shall  see.  Shall  reply  to- 
morrow. 

Have  been  all  day  reading  Tooke's  Russia,  of  which  I 
have  bought  you  a  French  edition,  in  six  vols.  octavo.  Van- 
derlyn  came  and  sat  an  hour  this  evening.  Our  family  in 
great  distress.  My  good  host  has  lost  a  lawsuit  on  which 
his  all  depended. 

7.  Got  a  good  sleep.  Reading  still  in  Tooke's  Russia. 
At  four  the  carriage  came,  and  I  went,  with  the  lame  foot  in 
a  list  moccasin.  On  the  way  took  in  Munritzi  and  Jane 
Evans,  who,  with  Mr.  Heath,  the  English  lawyer  mentioned 


OF    AARON    BURR.  79 

some  time  ago,  made  up  the  party.  About  eight  came  in 
Mr.  Adarnson.  Note,  Mr.  H.  can't  get  a  passport.  He  has 
been  soliciting  for  a  month,  and  is  in  a  state  of  desperation, 
having  left  his  wife,  his  family,  and  his  business  in  London. 
He  lives  here  with  Denon,  and,  of  course,  has  all  his  influ- 
ence ;  but  no  avail.  It  was  ten  when  I  got  home.  Sat  up 
till  two,  and  did  not  write  you  a  line.  This  is  written  on 
Thursday.  Mrs.  Robertson  asked  me  to  dine  to-morrow, 
which  I  declined,  but  agreed  for  Friday.  On  coming  home, 
found  a  gay,  friendly  note  from  Crede,  apologizing  for  not 
calling  on  me,  and  promising  to  call  to-morrow. 

8.  Having  drank  a  dish  of  vile  green  tea  at  Mrs.  Robert 
son's,  it  kept  me  awake  till  five.     Took  a  bouillon  gras  for 
dinner,  and  eked  it  out  with  a  roast  fowl,  a  compliment  from 
Jul.,  and   excellent  potatoes,  which,  with    Roussillon,  and 
bread,  butter,  cheese,  and  grapes,  has  kept  me  from  starving. 

At  eleven  a  note  from  Mrs.  Robertson,  with  a  bottle  of 
opodeldoc,  in  which  I  happened  to  express  faith.  She  had 
very  often  intimated  a  wish  that  I  should  know  more  of  Mr. 
A.  In  my  reply  to  her  note,  I  asked  her  to  tell  me  candidly 
whether  he  would  be  pleased  with  a  visit  from  me.  At 
four  received  another  messenger  from  her,  saying  that  he 
would  be  greatly  flattered,  and  proposed  to  call  on  me  to- 
morrow morning.  Agreed  to  receive  him  at  two.  You  see 
into  what  trouble  this  will  bring  me. 

At  five  came  Crede  and  sat  an  hour.  Have  agreed  to 
take  gig,  and  go  to  see  the  room  which  he  offers  me  in  the 
same  hotel  in  which  he  is  lodged.  Bought  a  bottle  of  hy- 
dromel  (metheglin)  to  see  how  they  make  it,  and  a  bottle  of 
Mollerat. 

Jul.  has  brought  me  into  great  trouble.  Gave  her  my  last 
two  guineas  to  change.  She,  thinking  to  get  two  or  three 
sous  more,  went  away  to  her  friend  the  abbe,  full  half  a 
league,  and  gave  them  to  him.  He,  being  very  busy,  told 
her  to  call  in  two  or  three  days,  and  I  am  absolutely  sans 
sous.  Just  at  this  moment  my  commissionaire  brought  me 


80  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

his  account  of  six  francs  ten  sous,  and  apologized  on  account 
of  his  great  distress.  Got  rid  of  this  for  the  moment  by 
borrowing  just  so  much  from  M.  Pel.  To-morrow  will  come 
La  B.  for  four  francs  ten  sous.  I  shall  be  obliged  to  sacri- 
fice some  of  the  nice  little  pieces  which  I  intended  to  keep 
for  Gampillo. 

9.  It  was  near  twelve  before  I  got  out,  not  walking,  which 
is  not  practicable,  but  in  a  gig.     To  Crede's.     His  room 
won't  do.     Being  in  a  fourth  story  and  a  garret  would  dis- 
courage me ;  but  it  is  dark,  has  but  one  window,  a  bad  fire- 
place, and  so  open  that  it  must  be  very  cold.     To  Fenwick's. 
Both  Mr.  and  madame  out.     This  comes  of  laying  too  late 
abed.     To  Mancel's,  to  send  him  on  a  voyage  of  discovery. 
Home,  stopping  to  change  one  of  Garnp.'s  pretty  little  Dan- 
ish ducats,  for  which  got  only  eight  francs  five  sous. 

Mr.  Griswold  had  called  in  my  absence.  At  three  came 
in  Mr.  Adamson  arid  sat  half  an  hour;  then  Mr.  Griswold, 
and  soon  after  the  carriage  of  Mrs.  Robertson  called.  We 
took  up  on  the  way  Miss  Evans,  who,  with  Mr.  Lewins,  were 
our  party.  Poor  Heath  got  his  passport  yesterday,  and  was 
instantly  off.  Mr.  A.  came  in  at  seven.  I  stayed  till  near 
ten,  being  obliged  to  wait  the  movement  of  my  companions. 

Mr.  Russell,  whose  sense  of  duty  does  not  allow  him  to 
give  me  a  passport,  has  given  a  general  one  to  Capt.  Haley, 
and  written  to  the  minister  of  police  that  the  captain  has 
the  entire  confidence,  &c. 

10.  Slept  till  nine,  though  fire  was  made  for  me  at  seven. 
You  can't  think  how  I  am  mortified  and  distressed  at  this 
torpor.     Out  at  twelve  in  cabriole.     This  carriage-hire  will 
ruin  me.     To  Mr.  Fenwick's,  whom  saw  and  eke  his  wife. 
Belle  femme.     The  marks  of  superior  intelligence,  much 
grace  and  animation.     We  said  some  civil  things  to  each 
other,  and  she  engaged  me  to  call  and  see  her,  which,  be  as- 
sured, I  shall  not  fail.     Mr.  F.  goes  to-morrow  to  Bourdeaux, 
and  offered  to  take  letters  for  me.     Thence  to  Mrs.  Robert- 
son's to  get  the  address  of  Mr.  Adamson,  and  thence  to  Mr. 


OF    AARON    BURR.  81 

A.'s,  where  half  an  hour.  He  has  the  appearance  of  a  well- 
bred,  amiable  man  ;  not  deficient  in  intelligence  or  education. 
Thence  back  to  Mrs.  Robertson.  She  kept  me  more  than 
two  hours.  Dismissed  my  cabriole  and  ordered  her  carriage 
for  me.  To  go  to  England  or  not ;  to  marry  or  not ;  these 
are  the  two  interesting  questions  which  disturb  the  peace  of 
my  charming  friend.  Having  hitherto  preserved  a  neutral- 
ity on  the  subject  of  matrimony,  she  has,  at  length,  extracted 
from  me  a  promise  that  I  will  on  Monday  give  a  decided 
opinion  as  to  both  points. 

On  my  return  home  called  on  Mr.  Fenwick.  Out.  On 
Mr.  Griswold.  Home  at  half  past  four.  Had  taken  a  bowl 
of  soup  with  Mrs.  Robertson,  and  now  took  another  from 
Jul.,  which  made  dinner  enough.  Sent  for  a  bottle  of  vin 
Maron,  much  vaunted,  twenty-five  sous.  Don't  like  it. 
Shall  stick  to  the  Roussillon.  Wrote  you  a  letter  and  one 
to  Gahn  this  evening,  and  sent  them  offjust  now  to  Mr.  Fen- 
wick,  who  departs  at  five  to-morrow  morning. 

A  most  tempestuous  wind  yesterday  and  to-day.  I  have 
not  yet  learned  what  is  the  season  that  denominates  this  a 
fine  climate.  Have  not  yet  answered  Russell's  impertinent 
note. 

11.  Slept  sound  till  four,  then  waked,  and,  after  trying  in 
vain  for  two  hours  to  sleep,  got  up  at  six,  shaved,  dressed, 
and  got  my  breakfast  by  candlelight.  Jul.  came  in  at  seven, 
all  astonished  to  see  everything  done. 

Raining,  and  still  a  tempestuous  wind.  Sor.  at  eight,  on 
foot,  but  made  bad  progress,  as  the  left  shoe  was  wore  slip- 
shod, and  the  foot  bore  ill  the  irregularities  of  the  pavement. 
Met  a  cabriole  and  got  in.  To  Crede's ;  rang  for  several 
minutes,  but  all  asleep.  Learned,  however,  from  the  porter, 
that  Crede  p&re  was  not  in  town.  To  Abel's  to  complain 
of  his  tailor.  The  culottes  which  were  to  have  been  done 
eight  days  ago  are  not  yet  begun.  To  Griswold's.  Home. 
Paid  two  francs. 

Madame  Robertson  was  to  have  sent  her  carriage  for  me 


82  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

at  eleven.  Waited  till  a  quarter  before  twelve.  It  did  not 
come.  Sor.  encore  in  cabriole  to  Adamson's,  where  half  an 
hour.  Saw  there,  also,  Mr.  Gerard,  a  venerable  man  of 
eighty-eight.  The  best  preserved  and  the  most  sprightly  of 
that  age  I  ever  saw.  The  aunt  of  Mr.  A.  has  lived  with  him 
these  twenty  years,  having  rejected  her  mari.  To  Mrs. 
Robertson,  whom  found  expecting  me.  She  urged  again 
for  my  advice,  and  I  gave  it.  First,  That  she  should  not 
go  to  England.  Second,  That  she  should  marry  A.  For 
six  months  I  have  been  reasoning  against  marriage,  and  in 
favour  of  a  voyage  to  England.  Now  that  I  have  taken 
t'other  side  of  these  questions,  she  also  has  changed  her  lan- 
guage, and  reasons  against  this  marriage  and  in  favour  of 
going  to  England.  Took  soup  and  stayed  an  hour.  En- 
gaged to  dine  with  her  to-morrow,  and  begged  her  to  ask  A. 
We  shall  see  whether  she  does  so. 

Called  for  half  an  hour  at  Mr.  Griswold's.  At  the 
changer's,  where  changed  three  more  of  Gampy's  beautiful 
little  pieces.  Home  at  four.  Cab.  hire  four  francs  ten 
sous.  Alas  !  my  lame  foot  has  already  cost  me  a  louis  in 
cab.  hire  and  other  things.  What  pretty  toys  that  louis 
would  have  bought  for  Gampillo. 

Jul.  was  to  have  received  to-day  the  amount  of  my  two 
guineas  ;  but  was  again  put  off  by  the  priest.  Now,  as  she 
owes  the  priest  money,  it  would  be  very  pretty  if  he  should 
take  into  his  head  not  to  return  the  two  guineas.  I  have 
now  exactly  three  francs  four  sous ;  about  five  shillings 
New-York  money.  My  boots  are  at  the  shoemaker's  to  be 
soled.  They  are  done,  and  I  cannot  redeem  them.  It 
may  be  yet  ten  days  before  I  hear  the  result  of  my  Holland 
Company  speculation ;  and,  if  that  turns  out  a  total  loss, 
why,  then — 

Some  time  ago,  Madame  R.,  showing  me  her  jewels, 
seemed  particularly  pleased  with  a  set  of  ear-rings  of  Italian 
sculp.,  pure  out  of  conch-shell.  Of  course  I  admired  them. 
To-day  she  made  them  a  present  to  you.  I  declined  as 


OF    AARON    BURR.  83 

long  as  I  could,  for,  though  they  are  pretty  as  curiosities, 
they  are  things  not  for  you  to  wear.  Still,  they  are  very 
pretty  to  stare  at,  so  you  shall  have  them. 

13-  Slept  till  nine  like  an  oyster.  So  all  hope  of  my 
reformation  is  abandoned.  There  must  be  something  in  the 
air  of  Europe  disposing  to  lethargy,  for  it  is  most  certain 
that  I  never  slept  at  this  rate  in  America. 

At  eleven  to  Valkenaer's.  Went  on  foot,  having  quite 
resolved  to  pay  no  more  cabriole-hire  ;  among  other  good 
reasons,  because,  as  I  told  you  yesterday,  got  on  pretty 
well.  Stayed  an  hour.  Found  there  the  charming  M'lle. 
H.  Not  a  word  about  Holland  Company,  nor  expected  till 
Saturday.  Home. 

It  then  occurred  to  me  that,  if  I  had  a  very  large  pair  of 
shoes,  I  might  clothe  this  left  foot,  and  hobble  on  very  smartly. 
Borrowed  four  francs  of  Madame  Pel.,  which  she  has  often 
done  from  me,  and  out  for  shoes.  Found  a  pair  of  suitable 
grandeur  for  six  francs  ten  sous,  about  ten  shillings  New- 
York  money.  Can  walk  with  them  quite  tolerably.  Had 
left  just  eleven  sous.  At  four  sat  out  on  foot  to  dine  with 
Madame  Robertson.  I  had  desired  that  Mr.  Adamson 
might  be  there  and  Madame  M.  not.  It  was  so  arranged. 
J.  Evans  joined  us,  and  the  day  went  off  very  well.  Mrs. 
R.  still  balancing  about  going.  The  Evans's  go  positively 
on  Wednesday.  Madame  urged  me  to  come  to-morrow 
morning.  Engaged  to  breakfast  with  her. 

On  my  way  home  gave  ten  sous,  so  got  home  with  one 
sous  in  my  pocket.  At  half  past  ten  do  not  find  that  the  walk 
has  done  any  harm  to  the  foot. 

17.  Not  a  word  have  I  written  you  since  Monday.  My 
foot  is  still  swollen  and  troublesome.  I  walk  with  pain  and 
limping.  For  the  last  two  days  I  have  quit  opodeldoc  and 
tried  cold  water,  but  without  any  sensible  benefit. 

On  Sunday  Mrs.  Robertson  sent  her  carriage  for  me,  and 
I  took  breakfast  with  her.  She  has  got  her  passport  renewed, 
and  talks  of  going,  but  I  think  will  not.  She  urged  me  to 


84  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

dine,  which  I  refused.  Got  home  at  two.  Jul.  came  in 
with  an  air  of  triumph,  having  got  the  proceeds  of  my  two 
guineas.  Fifty-two  francs.  It  ought  to  have  been  fifty- 
three.  Then  began  to  calculate  how  I  should  dispose  of  so 
much  money. 

On  Wednesday  received  note  from  Mrs.  R.  entreating  me 
to  come  and  dine,  or  in  the  evening,  as  she  must  see  me. 
Called  this  morning  on  Mr.  Fenwick.  Out.  On  Madame 
Fleury  to  pay  my  six  francs,  though  it  was  due  to  the  other. 
Mrs.  F.  asked  me  to  stay  and  dine  on  soup  and  bouilli,  which 
agreed ;  five  francs  to  make  some  addition  to  the  dinner. 
Stayed  till  seven  ;  then  to  Madame  R.'s.  Found  there  Mr. 
A.  On  entering,  Well,  says  R.,  I  have  given  up  the  jour- 
ney, and  have  promised  to  marry  him.  So  I  wished  them 
joy.  Stayed  an  hour.  Sent  for  a  cabriole,  and  got  home  at 
ten.  I  intended  to  have  paid  the  cab.  three  francs,  but.  In- 
choated me  in  the  change,  and  took  four. 

At  ten  to  Valkenaer's.  At  last  he  has  a  letter  from  Am 
sterdam,  and  the  report  is  favourable,  but  the  requisite  infor 
mation  has  not  yet  come  on.  Took  cab.  and  to  Madame 
Fenwick's.  She  had  given  me  a  general  invitation  to  break- 
fast with  her  any  day  at  eleven.  At  least  half  a  dozen  per- 
sons came  in,  had  audience,  and  went  out.  At  length  the 
celebrated  Barrere  and  another  to  breakfast,  and  we  four 
breakfasted.  Barrere  appears  to  be  worthy  of  his  reputation. 
I  greatly  admire  Madame  Fenwick.  Home  at  two. 

When  T  was  with  Valkenaer  this  morning,  he  asked  me 
to  dine,  which  I  refused.  He  said  if  I  would  come  he  would 
send  for  Hennette.  Agreed.  At  four  to  Mr.  Griswold's, 
and  then  to  Valkenaer's.  Hennette  was  there.  A  very 
fine  woman,  i.  e.,  tall,  well  made,  and  sprightly.  After  din- 
ner Valkenaer  proposed  to  take  us  to  see  the  Chat.  Mer- 
velleus.  We  then  went  in  his  carriage,  but  there  was  no 
seat  to  be  had.  We  then  went  to  Franpois  to  see  Angelique, 
&c.,  in  which  a  horse  is  the  principal  aclor ;  but  Francois 
is  not  open  to-night.  Returned  to  V.'s,  and  then  home  at 
nine. 


OF    AARON    BURR. 


Now  to  come  back  to  Thursday.  I  had  intended  to  break 
fast  that,  day  with  Fenwick,  but  at  nine,  just  as  I  was  dressed, 
came  Robertson's  servant,  with  a  note  and  a  gig  (her  carriage 
being  sent  to  repair),  to  bring  me  to  breakfast.  Submitted 
and  went.  She  began  to  repent,  and  thought  she  ought  to 
go  to  England  to  arrange  her  affairs  before  her  marriage.  I 
rather  confirmed  this  disposition.  Mr.  A.  came  in  ***»***. 
Home  for  an  hour.  At  five  to  Mrs.  R.'s  to  dine. 

18.  This  day  rose,  as  the  whole  of  this  week,  at  about  half 
past  eight.     This  invincible  torpor  has  got  full  possession  of 
me,  and  I  must  wait  till  the  gods  shall  please  to  work  a 
miracle  for  my  cure.     The  foot  more  swollen  this  morning ; 
nevertheless,  walked  out  (my  whole  cash  being  one  five  franc 
piece)  to  call  on  Mr.  Paschaud  ;  then  to  Swediaur's  half  an 
hour.     Returning  home,  fourteen  francs  for  a  bouquet  for 
Madame  Fieury.     Dined  by  special  invitation  with  the  fam 
ily,  to  meet  Mr.  Paschaud,  who  accordingly  came. 

Had  to  walk  to  Fonzi's  this  evening  on  account  of  a  de- 
rangement of  something ;  can't  find  out  what.  He  had  gone 
to  the  play,  and  I  am  ill  at  ease  for  the  want  of  his  aid. 
Now  I  will  strive  not  to  get  so  much  in  arrear  with  you 
again. 

19.  Jul.  called  me  twenty  times,  but  it  was  impossible  to 
get  me  awake.     At  ten  to  breakfast  with    Mr.  Griswold. 
At  eleven  to  Valkenaer's.     Nothing  more  of  Holland  Com- 
pany.    But  there  met  the  most  seductive  woman,  and,  1  be- 
lieve, the  most  beautiful  I  have  seen  in  France.     The  only 
specimen   I  have  seen  that  approaches  the  idea  which  one 
might  form,  from  reading,  of  a  fine  French  woman.     It  is  a 
fine  mixture  of  grace,  intelligence,  and  voluptuousness.     To 
Fonzi's,  and  then  home  about  two ;  since  which  have  not 
been  out. 

At  three  came  in  Mr.  Griswold  and  stayed  till  half  past 
four.  Asked  me  to  go  and  dine  with  him,  which  declined. 
Borrowed  of  him  fifty  francs,  of  which  two  to  Jul.  in  part 
of  her  account ;  twelve  francs  to  Jeannet  for  the  last  two 


86  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

months'  service,  which  grudged  much,  for  she  has  done 
nothing  but  clean  my  boots,  and  that  very  badly,  and  yet  the 
beast  growled ;  three  francs  for  segars,  and  two  for  sand ; 
so  that  you  see  I  have  left  just  twenty-five ;  and,  with  the 
most  deliberate  malice  and  forethought,  have  resolved  to  dine 
with  Fleury  to-morrow  or  next  day,  which  will  be  an  affair 
of  six  or  eight  francs. 

The  domestic  of  Mrs.  Robertson  came  in  to  solicit  my 
aid  au  prez  de  madame  to  get  her  off  to  England.  It  seems 
that  the  journey  is  talked  of  in  the  same  undecided  way. 

20,  21.  Again  I  am  in  arrear  with  the  journal.  Have 
slept  these  last  three  nights  full  eight  hours.  It  has  come 
into  my  head  that  this  Roussillon  wine  may,  perhaps,  have 
some  narcotic  quality,  for  I  can  recollect  no  other  change  in 
my  habits  of  life.  Have  not  touched  it  to-day. 

Monday,  breakfasted  with  Mrs.  Robertson  at  ten.  She 
gave  me  honey,  but  vile  gunpowder  tea.  She  is  still 
"  going,"  but  not  gone.  The  probability  is  that  she  will  be 
going  till  worse  weather  sets  in,  and  then,  "  Lord,  who  could 
think  of  going  in  such  weather  ?"  Urged  me  to  dine,  which 
refused.  Called  at  Vanderlyn's,  who  has  moved  his  lodg- 
ings, but  not  his  atelier.  To  the  little  inn,  where  once 
supped  with  La  Cordonniere,  to  see  what  had  become  of 
her.  She  had  called  half  a  dozen' times  to  know  whether  I 
had  been  to  inquire,  and  left  apologies  about  the  disappoint- 
ment. So  engaged  to  meet  there  to  dine  at  five.  The 
hostess  engaged  to  find  her.  Home,  and  dined. 

Tuesday,  took  my  usual  breakfast  (coffee  blanc)  at  home. 
That  tea  of  Mrs.  Robertson's  did  not  agree  with  me.  To 
Madame  R.  at  eleven.  Kept  me  half  an  hour  making  her 
toilet.  Still  going.  To  Fleury's,  whom  took  to  see  Van- 
derlyn's Ariadne.  Left.  Fleury  at  her  home.  Mr.  Griswold 
came  to  see  me  at  three,  and  sat  till  four.  Mr.  Adamson 
had  called  in  my  absence  and  left  card.  At  five  to  dine 
with  La  Cordonniere,  but  could  not  be  found,  so  dined  alone. 
Dinner,  and  bottle  of  wine  of  thirty  sous,  cost  three  francs. 


OF    AARON    BURR.  87 

The  wine,  you  see,  was  just  one  half.  Had  two  pigeons 
and  potatoes  dressed  to  my  taste  ;  bread,  butter,  and  cheese, 
which,  at  thirty  sous,  was  cheap  enough.  Home  at  eight. 

21.  At  eleven  to  Valkenaer's.     Sick  abed,  and  not  visi 
ble.     Was  overtaken  in  the  street  by  Mons.  Mercier,  who 
was  so  civil  to  me  in  Brunswick.     He  seemed  very  glad 
to  see  me,  but.  note,  he  has  been  three  weeks  in  town,  and 
had  not  yet  found  me  out,  nor,  perhaps,  inquired  for  me. 
He  told  me  of  Robinson  and  Hosack.     The  former  stayed 
at  Blakenburg  till  this  month,  and  thence  has  gone  to  pass 
the  winter  in  Berlin.     Hosack,  while  at  Blakenburg,  went 
a  shooting,  and,  in  shooting  at  a  hare,  shot  a  man ;  not  dead, 
but  wounded  him  badly,  which  cost  him   money  and  gave 
him  much  trouble.     When  he  got  rid  of  that  affair  he  left 
the  place,  but  whither  gone  is  not  known. 

Mons.  Mercier  and  I  talked  for  half  an  hour  in  the  street, 
exchanged  addresses,  and  parted,  he  engaging  to  call  on  me 
at  three  to-morrow.  To-day  am  afoot,  and  with  a  pair  of 
great  thick  new  shoes,  the  right  shoe  being  made  large  out 
of  complaisance  to  the  left.  I  walk  pretty  well ;  and,  though 
I  have  made  long  courses  to-day,  find  no  inconvenience. 
The  said  shoes,  however,  are  no  sort  of  defence  against 
moisture.  My  feet  are  wet  from  the  moment  I  put  them  on 
the  pavement.  After  parting  with  Mons.  Mercier,  went  to 
Adamson's,  where  half  an  hour.  He  was  not,  as  usual,  talk- 
ative. Thence  to  Mrs.  Robertson,  who  is  still  going.  She 
offered  me  a  great  parcel  of  artificial  flowers  for  you,  which 
I  refused.  Took  soup,  and  then  to  Crede's.  Not  arrived. 
To  Paschaud's  to  look  at  a  new  translation  of  the  Bible,  to 
settle  a  dispute  between  Mr.  Grisvvold  and  me,  which  I  will 
state  to  you  some  other  time.  Home.  Dinner  with  the 
family,  and  have  not  been  out  since. 

22.  Drank  not  a  drop  of  Roussillon  yesterday.     Sat  up 
till  one,  and  slept  till  nine.     You  see  that  I  am  on  the  list 
of  incurables.     At  eleven  to  D'Alberg's.     He  had  nothing  to 

communicate  or  advise.     To  Valk.'s  ;  he  was  up,  but  really 
VOL.  II.  6 


88  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

ill.  Nothing  more  from  Amsterdam.  Home.  At  two  came 
in  Griswold  and  sat  an  hour.  Mr.  Mercier  did  not  call  as 
he  had  promised. 

At  half  past  four  to  dine  with  Adelle  Fleury.  We  had 
fish  and  potatoes,  a  1'Americaine,  preceded  by  soup,  and 
drank  two  bottles  of  wine,  of  which  she  took  her  share,  and 
without  the  least  effect.  Off  at  eight.  The  dinner  cost  me 
seven  francs,  and  lost  a  cambric  handkerchief.  Not  one  of 
yours ;  they  were  all  sold,  you  know,  in  Stockholm,  except 
four,  which  I  have  yet.  Am  now  going  to  write  another  let- 
ter of  business  for  Jul. 

23.  At  eleven  to  Madame  Fenwick's,  where  took  a  second 
breakfast    a  la  fourchette.      At  one  to  Valkenaer's,  where 
left  a  card ;  before  going  out  received  a  note  from  Swan,  re 
questing  me  to  dine  to-day.     At  two  went,  and,  with  great 
exertions,  walked  it  in  forty-five  minutes.     Found  there  Ma- 
dame St.  Claire,  about  thirty-two.     We  three  dined,  and  I 
escorted  madame,  who  lives  farther  off  than  I.     She  got  fa- 
tigued and  took  carriage.     Having  for  three  days  past  only 
ten  sous,  was  obliged  to  bring  the  carriage  home  to  find 
means  of  payment,  three  francs,  for  which  had  to  make  two 
loans  ;  one  of  Jul.  and  one  of  the  family.     Engaged  to  call 
on  Madame  St.  Claire,  which  shall  do  on  Sunday.     Nothing 
from  Amsterdam,  and,  verily,  I  shall  starve.     Four  or  five 
little  debts  keep  me  in  constant  alarm  ;  altogether,  about  two 
louis.     Have  taken  coffee  blanc  this  evening  for  the  first 
time  in  several  weeks. 

24.  Lay  in  vigils  till  seven,  then  locked  my  door  to  pre- 
vent intrusion,  and  slept  till  half  past  nine,  when  a  famous 
knocking  awoke  me,  but  did  not  answer.     Being,  however, 
thoroughly  awake,  got  up.     The  knocking  was   to  admit  a 
messenger  with  a  letter.     I  read  the  letter  over  attentively, 
and  could  make  nothing  of  it.    Looking  at  the  superscription, 
it  was  Mr.  Pelouse. 

I  can  assign  no  cause,  either  moral  or  physical,  for  the  in- 
somnia, for  I  will  not  admit  coffee  blanc  to  be  the  cause. 


OF    AARON    BURR.  89 

Found  myself  just  as  well  (perhaps  better)  as  if  I  had  slept 
my  eight  hours.  At  eleven  a  message  from  Madame  F.,  re- 
questing me  to  breakfast  to-morrow.  At  twelve  to  V.'s ; 
still  very  ill.  Saw  him  a  few  minutes.  To  Duke  d'Alberg's, 
where  took  a  breakfast  with  la  duchesse,  mons.  being  busy. 
This  breakfast  was  soup,  chicken,  &c.,  and  wines.  To  Van- 
derlyn's;  engaged  to  dine  with  him  at  half  past  four.  Bor- 
rowed of  him  twenty  francs.  To  St.  Jacques  to  inquire  for 
aiy  Cordonniere ;  not  found.  Best  bottle  of  Roussillon  for 
our  dinner,  forty  sous ;  but,  unfortunately,  John  could  not 
partake,  so  drank  the  whole  myself.  Home  at  seven  ;  and 
now,  at  one,  am  going  to  make  up  the  arrears  of  last  night. 

If,  perchance,  Mr.  Valkenaer  should  die,  my  2500  francs 
go  with  him,  for  I  have  no  receipt,  and,  most  certainly,  shall 
not  ask  him  for  one.  The  foot  better,  that  is,  stronger,  but 
fear  it  will  never  be  reduced  to  its  primitive  size.  On 
measuring,  find  that  it  is  just  one  inch  and  a  quarter  bigger 
than  the  other,  and  have  had  a  shoe  made  accordingly. 

Forgot  to  say  that,  on  coming  home,  found  a  note  from 
Crede,  begging  me  to  call  this  morning.  Went  off  accord- 
ingly. He  showed  me  some  American  papers,  and,  among 
other  things,  Wilkinson's  puerile  letter  to  the  public.  Crede 
is  to  call  on  me  at  one  to-morrow, 

25.  Rose  at  eight  without  the  aid  of  Jul.  At  eleven  to 
Madame  Fenwick's.  After  a  few  minutes  came  in  M.  Bar- 
rere  and  others.  The  conversation  was  gay,  animated, 
and  amusing.  Madame  was  charming.  She  is  really  an 
extraordinary  woman.  Mons.  Barrere  was  particularly  civil 
to  me,  and  asked  me  to  call  and  see  him.  The  first  civility 
from  a  Frenchman,  and  perhaps  he  meant  nothing. 

Home  at  half  past  one.  Left  all  the  company  there,  and 
left  them  with  regret,  but  had  engaged  to  meet  Crede  at  my 
-room  at  one.  Might  as  well  have  stayed  at  Fenwick's,  for 
Crede  had  been  and  gone.  Tant  pis.  To  Valkenaer's. 
Saw  him  abed ;  laid  down  with  the  gout  in  all  form  He 


90  FftiVATE    JOUEKAL 

dbowed  me  a  note  from  Caz.*  about  Holland  Company. 
Home  at  three,  and  hare  not  been  since  abroad. 

A  note  from  Mrs.  Robertson,  very  friendly  and  confiden- 
tial. She  propose*  to  go  to-morrow  morning.  Wrote  her 
that  I  would  call  at  fire,  and,  if  she  should  not  be  gone, 
would  dine  with  her.  Had  no  occasion  for  dinner  to-day, 
bat  hare  taken  this  erening  a  bouillon  gras  and  Roussillon. 
Totrjoars  Roussillon.  That  beautiful  creature,  of  whom  I 
•poke  to  you  some  day  a  ago,  is  German.  The  model  of 
grace  and  delicacy. 

26.  At   one    to   Madame  Fenwick's.     Out.     To   Duke 
d'Alberg's,     Lent  me  his  ticket  for  visiting  the  museum. 
To  Valkenaer's,  where  met  the  lovely  Allemand,  to  whom 
uttered  all  my  admiration,  and  kissed  her  pretty  hand.     Mr. 
V.  still  abed.     He  had  not  forgotten  me.     He  had  pot  from 
Cazeneau  a  map  of  the  land,  with  which  went  to  Mr.  Gris- 
wold.     As  it  has  rained  all  day,  my  feet  were  very  wet. 
He  persuaded  me  to  dine  with  him  in  his  room,  dry  my 

&c.,  to  which  agreed,  and  sent  messenger  with  note  of 
apology  to  Mrs.  Robertson.     Home  at  eight. 

27.  Mrs.  Robertson's  servant  called  at  eight,  before  I  was 
out  of  bed  this  morning,  with  a  verbal  message,  begging  I 
would  call  on  her  to-day  without  fail.     Agreed  to  call  at 
one.     After  this  conversation,  took  another  nap  till  ten.     At 
twelve  to  Fenwick's.     Found  there  a  Russian  general,  and 
then  came  in  another  distinguished  personage. 

At  one  to  Mrs.  Robertson'*.  Jt  was  only  the  old  story, 
wanting  me  to  advise  her  to  things  which  her  own  judgment 
condemns.  Stayed  till  three  and  took  a  bowl  of  soup,  but 
refused  to  dine.  H'/nv;,  tout  droit,  and  changed,  for  it  is 
raining  sans  cosse.  P.  d.  t.  and  RoMfillon  for  dinner.  The 
last  drop  of  my  Roussillon.  f  think  those  nine  bottles  have 

*  Caz.,  M.  Cazeneaa,  a  SWIM  of  talent*,  well  known  in  New-York  many 
rean  ago,  *»*  afterward  long  the  confidential  bonneM  friend  and  agent  of  Tal- 


OF    AARON    BURR.  91 

lasted  me  near  a  month.     Hate  been  reading  American 
newspapers  and  other  trifles. 

2S.  At  twelve  to  Mr.  GriswokFs,  where  half  an  hoar. 
To  Valkenaer's  for  half  an  hoar.  He  bad  another  note 
from  C.,  which  looks  as  if  he  was  on  the  same  pursuit. 
T:  Mons.  Barrere's.  The  servant  told  me  that  moos,  was 
particularly  engaged,  and  cook!  see  no  one.  I  gave  him 
my  card.  "Ah!  Mons.  B^.oui.  Entrei  nous.  Pai  des 
ordres,"  &c-  Sat  half  an  hoar.  There  was  company.  On 
coming  out,  mons.  asked  me  to  come  in  the  morning  and 
take  breakfast,  when  we  might  have  tete-a-tete. 

To  Madame  St.  Claire's.  Very  civil  ;  very  prettily  lodged. 
Engaged  to  escort  her  on  Friday  to  the  museum,  to  see  the 
exhibition.  On  other  days  the  doors  are  open  to  all.  On 
Fridays  to  those  only  who  have  tickets.  He.  Baron  d'Al- 
berg,  has  lent  me  his,  which  admits  three  persons.  Hone. 

At  four  to  Mrs.  Robertson's  to  dine.  Met  there  Mr 
Adamsoo  and  Madame  Min.  Off  at  eight.  To  Crede's 
an  hour.  More  American  papers,  from  one  of  which  I 
learn  that  I  have  a  pension  of  toco  tkmsmmd  ptma 


per  ovntm  from  kis  mmjesty  tke  emperor.     An  extract  fr 
an  English  paper,  also,  that  I  am  on  «  project  for 
::--:--  -'.:-   r  :.v.-  SMfeft 

To  Mr.  Gris  woki's  for  a  few  minutes,  and  then 
Mrs  Robertson  still  talks  of  going  to-morrow. 

29.  At  eleven  to  Mrs,  Fen  wick's,  where  was  an  Amer- 
ican by  the  name  of  Andrews  ;  settled,  I  befiere,  at  Bour- 
deaox,  which  marred  the  object  of  my  visit.  I  tried  to 
set  him  out,  but  yielded.  To  Valkenaer's,  whom  saw,  still 
in  bed,  but  better.  Nothing  new  from  Amsterdam.  Home 
to  receive  Crede,  who  came  at  half  past  two.  I  hare  wished 
to  engage  him  in  the  Holland  Company  speculation,  bnt 
doubt- 

To  VanderlynV,  at  his  atelier,  whence  to  his  house,  where 
we  dined.  While  dinner  was  getting,  called  on  my  wine- 
merchant  to  order  half  a  docen  Roussilkw  Have  had 


92  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

none  these  two  days.  Also,  to  the  inn,  to  inquire  about  La 
Cordonniere  ;  not  found.  To  Crede's,  who  has  more  Ameri- 
can newspapers.  Home  at  eight ;  young  Crede  came  with 
me.  Have  read  through,  this  evening,  No.  32  of  the  Edin- 
burgh Review.  The  Lady  of  the  Lake,  by  Scott ;  Travels 
in  Europe,  Asia,  and  Africa,  by  E.  D.  Clarke  ;  and  Ja  Tsing 
Lace  Lee,  Chinese  Penal  Code,  translated  by  Sir  G.  T. 
Staunton,  are  the  articles  which  would  amuse  you. 

30.  At  eight  came  my  marchand  de  vin,  and  there  was 
no  alternative  ;  got  up.  The  rascal,  instead  of  half  a  dozen, 
as  had  been  my  customary  quantity,  brought  a  whole  dozen. 
He  made  so  many  eulogies  on  its  excellence,  and,  opening 
a  bottle,  made  me  drink  to  convince  myself,  that  I  took  the 
dozen,  and  paid  twenty-one  francs  twelve  sous,  and  the 
other  eight  sous  he  got  for  his  alacrity — twenty-two  francs. 

At  eleven  to  Volney's.  Did  I  tell  you  that  he  married, 
about  a  month  ago,  a  cousine,  a  widow?  a  smart,  comely 
woman  of  about  forty.  He  was  just  up.  Had  only  to  ask 
him  two  or  three  questions.  He  is  afraid  even  to  help  me 
translate  my  letter  to  the  emperor.  God  help  him.  Thence 
to  Valkenaer's.  He  is  still  abed,  but  mending.  Nothing 
from  Amsterdam.  Home  to  dress  for  the  Louvre. 

Took  hack  and  called  on  Madame  St.  Claire.  Found  her 
dressed  and  ready.  She  is  really  ladylike  and  handsome  ; 
but  of  all  the  rest —  She  is  still  more  ignorant  of  me ; 
not  knowing  even  my  name,  having  only  learned  from  her 
friend  that  I  am  a  strange  animal  from  the  antipodes.  Van- 
derlyn  met  us  at  the  Louvre,  and  we  passed  there  three 
hours.  An  immense  crowd.  Several  hundred  carriages. 
This,  I  told  you,  is  the  fashionable  day.  Saw  madame  chez 
elle  :  took  a  very  modest  leave,  and  came  home  to  meet 
Crede  by  appointment.  Hack-hire  five  francs.  Crede 
came,  and  we  talked  an  hour.  He  will  not  join  in  the  spec- 
ulation in  the  way  proposed,  but  probably  in  another  nearly 
as  good. 

Dinner  p.  d.  t.  and  a  bit  of  that  immortal  jambon  (the  res- 


OF  AARON  BURR.  93 

idue  will  be  given  to  the  cat  to-morrow),  a  good  portion  of 
Roussillon,  bread,  butter,  cheese,  and  baked  apples,  with 
which  Jul.  provides  me  daily,  made  me  think  that  I  dined  bet- 
ter than  his  majesty.  At  seven  to  Mr.  Griswold's  to  get  the 
American  newspapers.  Sat  an  hour.  He  came  home  with 
me  to  get  a  book.  Have  been  all  the  evening  reading  the 
papers,  and  now,  at  half  past  twelve,  am  thinking  of  bed. 
Note ;  the  foot  is  so  far  restored  to  its  shape,  that  for  the 
first  time  put  on  my  usual  shoes  to-day. 

Paris,  December  1,  1810.  At  ten  to  Duke  d'Alberg's. 
Out;  but  would  return  at  eleven.  On  my  way  to  Mrs. 
Fenwick's,  saw  "  Great  Britain  Hotel"  and  recollected  that 
Mercier  lodged  there.  As  it  was  yet  too  early  for  Madame 
Fenwick,  stopped  in  and  saw  Mr.  Mercier.  My  business 
was  to  get  the  address  of  Mr.  Robinson.  He  made  many 
apologies  for  not  having  called  on  me.  Appeared  very  glad 
to  see  me,  and  said  he  had  lost  my  address.  To  Madame 
F.'s ;  stayed  an  hour  with  her ;  am  always  amused  and  in- 
terested. She  engaged  rne  to  take  tea  with  her  at  nine  this 
afternoon.  Thence  to  Duke  d'Alberg's.  The  duchess  had 
promised  me  a  ticket  for  the  Louvre.  As  she  had  neglected 
it,  the  duke  gave  me  a  note  to  Mons.  Denon  (author  of  the 
Travels  in  Egypt),  who  is  director  general  of  the  pictures 
and  statues,  and  of  all  the  arts  of  painting  and  sculpture. 
Not  that  such  is  exactly  his  title,  nor  can  I  now  tell  you 
"  exactly"  what  it  is. 

Before  proceeding  farther,  however,  I  must  tell  you 
whence  arose  my  solicitude  to  have  a  ticket,  seeing  that  T 
had  already  the  means  of  admittance.  The  case  is  this. 
The  day  I  was  with  Madame  St.  Claire  she  expressed  a  very 
great  desire  to  have  a  ticket  for  a  friend,  and  I,  having  a  very 
great  desire  to  oblige  Madame  St.  Claire,  took  the  measures 
aforesaid.  From  the  duke's  went  immediately  to  Denon's  ; 
was  admitted,  and  presented  my  credentials.  Found  there 
the  celebrated  painter  David  and  another.  Denon  received 
me  graciously,  and  I  paid  him  a  compliment  on  his  book, 


94  PRIVATE  JOURNAL 

and  then  he  was  more  gracious.  He  gave  me  the  ticket  for 
"  deux  personnes."  Off  set  I  for  Madame  St.  Claire,  assured 
of  a  very  kind  reception.  On  the  way  met  Mr.  Griswold. 
"  Sir,"  says  he,  "  I  am  in  the  most  distressing  dilemma.  A 
lady,  whom  I  wish  very  much  to  oblige,  asked  me  to  pro- 
cure her  a  ticket  for  the  Louvre,  and  I  promised  to  do  it, 
but  have  been  totally  disappointed,  and  dare  not  see  the 
lady's  face ;  can  you  put  me  in  the  way  to  extricate  myself?" 
"  Voilk,"  said  I,  and  gave  him  my  ticket.  You  may  well 
presume  that  I  altered  my  course,  and  did  not  go  to  Madame 
St.  Claire's  ;  but  Mr.  Griswold,  knowing  that  I  wished  to  go 
to  St.  Pelasgie  on  business,  offered  to  escort  me  in  a  car- 
riage. Thither  we  went.  I  saw  Swan  for  a  few  minutes. 
We  (G.  and  I)  returned,  and  I  came  home  to  reflect  on  the 
state  of  things.  To  Valkenaer's.  Found  him  up.  Nothing 
new  from  Amsterdam,  but  he  promised  to  bring  la  belle  Al- 
lemand  to  dine  with  me  at  his  house  any  day  I  might  name. 
Thence  to  Madame  St.  Claire's.  Out ;  of  which  I  was  very 
glad.  Home.  Rather  tired  of  all  this  fatigue  of  body  and 
mind,  though  I  have  not  told  you  half.  For  instance,  the 
tailor  came  in  upon  me  this  morning,  just  as  I  was  up  from 
my  bed,  for  27  livres.  1  paid  him,  which  took  literally  my 
last  sous.  When  at  Denon's,  thought,  as  it  was  well  on 
towards  St.  Pelasgie,  I  might  as  well  go  thither,  and  set  off; 
but  recollected  that  I  owed  the  woman  who  sits  in  the  pas- 
sage two  sous  for  a  segar.  So  turned  about  to  pursue  my 
way  by  the  Pont  des  Arts,  which  was  within  fifty  paces  of 
me  ;  recollected  that  I  had  not  wherewith  to  pay  the  toll; 
being  one  sous.  Had  to  go  all  the  way  round  by  the  Pont 
Royal,  more  than  half  a  mile  out  of  my  way,  and  this  oc- 
casioned my  meeting  Griswold. 

Dinner,  a  bouillon  gras  and  p.  d.  t.  At  nine  to  Madame 
Fenwick's.  She  had  provided,  in  case  I  should  arrive  be- 
fore her,  that  I  should  take  possession  of  the  parlour.  I  did 
arrive  before  her,  and  took  possession.  She  came  in  pres- 
ently. Had  been  passing  some  hours  with  Madame  Reca- 


OF    AARON    BURR.  95 

mier,  and  had  escorted  her  some  leagues  out  of  town  to  her 
(R.'s)  country  seat.  Told  me  many  things  highly  honour- 
able to  the  heart  and  intellect  of  Madame  R.  It  is  honour- 
able to  both  that  rival  belles  should  be  on  such  terms.  Mr. 
R.  came  in  and  sat  a  few  minutes.  The  clock  striking 
eleven  admonished  me  to  take  leave.  Am  to  call  at  two 
to-morrow. 

Three  pages,  hussy,  and  now  one  o'clock.  To-morrow, 
too,  I  am  to  breakfast  with  Barrere ;  and  how  am  I  to  get 
up,  with  my  rate  of  sleeping,  and  this  hour  of  night  ? 

2.  This  is  coronation  day,  and,  of  course,  a  fete,  which 
means  that  there  is  illumination  and  the  principal  theatres 
gratis.  A  cold,  chilling,  damp,  foggy,  uncomfortable  day, 
but  has  not  quite  rained. 

At  half  past  ten  to  M.  Barrere's,  where  intended  to  break- 
fast. He  was  out  of  town.  You  observe  that,  before  I  go 
to  these  breakfasts,  I  always  breakfast  at  home.  This  morn- 
ing it  was  tea,  my  coffee  being  out,  and  no  money  to  buy 
more.  Yet  had  in  my  pocket  to-day  three  sous.  From 
Barrere's  to  Valkenaer's,  whom  saw  in  bed.  Nothing  from 
Amsterdam.  Quodmirum.  He  engaged  me  to  dine  to-day  to 
meet  la  belle  Allemand,  which  you  know  it  was  impossible 
to  refuse.  Thence  to  Madame  St.  Claire's.  She  was  busy 
about  her  menage  ;  had  no  fire,  and  was  in  bad  humour,  and 
very  plainly  told  me  she  did  not  like  to  receive  visits  at  that 
hour.  Mine  was  very  short;  and,  after  getting  rid  of  the  af- 
fair of  the  ticket,  think  our  acquaintance  will  cease.  To 
Mons.  Denon's  to  get  another  ticket.  Out.  To  Crede's  to 
return  newspapers.  He  gave  me  to  read  the  trial  of  Wake- 
field,  which  have  read  all  out  this  evening.  Am  quite  dis- 
satisfied with  the  verdict,  arid  have  no  doubt  of  Wakefield's 
guilt. 

From  Crede's  came  home,  and  received  a  message  from 
Madame  Fenwick,  postponing  my  visit  to  her  to  four  this 
day  or  three  to-morrow.  Preferred  to-morrow.  To  Ma- 
dame St.  Cla're's,  having  engaged  to  walk  with  her  at  two. 


96  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

She  was  still  in  bad  humour  and  declined  to  walk,  of  which 
I  was  very  glad.  Home  again.  At  four  to  Fonzi's,  and 
thence  to  Valkenaer's.  We  were  five  at  table.  La  belle 
Allemand  the  only  lady ;  the  dinner  was  gay,  and  I  drank 
too  much. 

Off  at  half  past  seven.  Called  at  Fonzi's  on  the  way,  and 
thence  home.  How  sedate  and  sage  one  is  with  three  sous 
Vanderlyn  called  and  sat  an  hour  with  me.  Have  not  been 
to  see  the  illuminations. 

3.  After  great  efforts,  as  well  on  the  part  of  Jul.  as  my 
self,  rose  at  nine.  At  half  past  ten  to  Mons.  Denon  to  get 
a  ticket  for  St.  Claire.  There  were  at  least  a  dozen  per- 
sons in  his  hall  of  audience.  Mr.  Denon  had  not  yet  ap- 
peared. Sent  in  my  name.  Begged  me  to  wait  a  few 
minutes.  After  a  few  minutes  he  came.  I  doubted  whether 
he  would  recollect  my  name  or  person.  On  entering,  he 
passed  by  the  rest,  sought  me  out,  took  me  by  the  hand,  and 
led  me  into  his  cabinet,  and  asked  me  to  excuse  him  a  few 
minutes  till  he  should  dismiss  the  persons  in  waiting.  Gamp, 
was  justly  surprised  at  a  reception  so  unusual.  On  his  re- 
turn he  took  my  hand  again  with  both  his,  assured  me  of 
the  pleasure  he  had  in  meeting  me,  and  his  desire  to  be  use- 
ful to  me.  I  took  him  at  his  word  ;  told  him  the  business 
which  had  brought  me  to  France  ;  the  memoir  I  had  pre- 
sented, and  the  ill  success;  that  is,  the  silence;  and  that  my 
wishes  were  now  confined  to  a  passport.  He  offered  to 
speak  of  my  memoir  to  Mr.  Maret  (le  Due  de  Bassano), 
supposed  to  be  the  most  intimate  counsellor  of  the  emperor, 
and  begged  me  to  permit  him  to  peruse  my  memoir.  Agreed  ; 
to-morrow  morning,  at  ten,  appointed  for  the  purpose.  Got 
my  ticket  and  came  off  in  triumph,  that  I  could  now  fulfil 
my  engagement  to  St.  Claire. 

Thence  to  Valkenaer's.  He  in  bed,  and  by  his  side  a 
lady.  Her  back  towards  me.  She  did  not  turn  nor  look. 
On  nearer  view,  found  it  to  be  la  belle  Allemand.  Nothing 
new  from  Amsterdam.  La  belle  Allemand  engrossed  me. 


OF    AARON    BURR.  i»7 

Said  a  thousand  gallant  things.  Talked  of  the  Louvre. 
Neither  she  nor  her  friend  had  a  ticket.  Produced  mine, 
and  offered  to  escort  her  on  Friday,  to  which  she  agreed. 
To  make  the  matter  secure,  engaged  myself  to  take  break- 
fast with  her  in  her  room  on  Friday  morning  at  eleven. 
Now  what  is  to  be  done  for  poor  St.  Claire  and  her  ticket  ? 
I  had  intended  to  go  from  Valkenaer's  to  St.  Claire's,  being 
in  the  same  neighbourhood ;  but,  after  this  second  perfidy, 
postponed  that  visit  till  I  should  consider  of  ways  and  means. 
Perhaps,  if  Denon  be  in  equally  good-humour  to-morrow,  I 
may  extort  another  ticket.  Home. 

Forgot  to  tell  you  that  at  eight  this  morning,  scarcely  day- 
light, came  Madame  Robertson's  servant  with  a  kind  note, 
begging  me  to  dine  to-day,  with  some  special  reasons.  Got 
out  of  bed,  answered  the  note,  saying  I  was  engaged,  which 
was  a  lie.  Then  to  bed,  and  slept  sound  another  hour. 
What  a  sluggard  ! 

At  two  sor.  to  Crede's  to  return  the  trial  of  Wakefield. 
Thence  to  Swediaur's,  where  half  an  hour,  and  thence  to 
Madame  F.'s,  as  by  appointment  mentioned  yesterday.  We 
entered  at  the  same  minute,  and  had  t6te-a-tete  for  half  an 
hour.  Then  came  in»the  most  gentleman-like  man  I  have 
seen  here,  ornamented  with  some  orders.  She  called  him 
colonel.  The  conversation  was  very  gay  for  half  an  hour, 
and  I  then  rose  to  take  leave  ;  but  madame  insisted  on  my 
staying.  Obeyed,  and,  after  a  few  minutes,  the  colonel  went 
out.  Then  madame  engaged  me  to  dine  tete-a-tete.  Agreed. 
Dined,  and  stayed  till  seven  without  ennui. 

To  Fonzi's  to  inquire  something  for  madame.  Only 
think,  her  name  is  Leonora,  and  she  resembles  something 
another  of  that  name,  en  physique  and  moral,  mais  d'une 
caractere  plus  forte.  Home  before  eight.  Have  been 
taking  some  weak  tea,  and  am  going  to  finish  my  letter  to 
his  majesty. 

The  day  has  been  most  detestable.  Mist,  fog,  and  chil- 
ling wind.  "  Le  Ciceroni  Parisien,"  a  book  which  I  shall 


98  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

bring  you,  says  that,  taking  the  average  of  thirty  years, 
they  count  from  thirty-six  to  forty  clear  days  in  a  year 
in  Paris.  During  the  ten  months  I  have  been  here  we  have 
not  had  that  proportion. 

4.  Rose  very  stupid.     Whether  from  the  want  of  sleep 
(my  allowance  used  formerly  to  be  four  hours)  or  what  else, 
know  not.     Hastened  to  Denon's.     Got  there  by  half  past 
ten.     He  had  the  patience  to  read  over  with  me  my  memoir, 
and  to  hear  and  talk  till  one.     In  the  mean  time  we  took 
breakfast  standing.     Cold   boiled  fish  and  cold   meat  pie, 
bread,  cheese,  and  wine.     A  dish  of  coffee  after  breakfast. 
Got  from  him  another  ticket  for  the  museum,  and,  for  fear 
of  further  accidents,  took  it  in  the   name  of  Madame  St. 
Claire.      To  Mr.  Griswold's.     To  Valkenaer's,  where  met 
la  belle  Allemand,  and  reminded  her  of   her  engagements. 
To  Madame  St.  Claire's  and  delivered  her  ticket.     Many 
thanks,  &c.     A  tale  of  wo.     To  Vanderlyn's  to  dine,  to 
meet  young  Doolittle,  lately  from  New- York,  a  very  fine 
youth.     Home  at  eight,  and,  being  sans  sous,  got  home  safe. 
Note  from  Mrs.  Robertson.     Agreed  to  dine  with  her  on 
Thursday. 

5.  At  half  past  one  to  Valkenaer's*.     Nothing  from  Am- 
sterdam.    Made  a  visit  to  la  belle  Allemand   in  her  room. 
It  being  a  hotel  garni,  where  she  had  been  six  months  be- 
fore Valkenaer    knew  her.      To   Duke   d'Alberg's.      Out. 
On  to  Vanderlyn's   to  get  newspapers,  which  Doolittle  was 
to  leave  for  me.     Got  them,  and  then  to  Madame  F.'s  by 
appointment.     Found   there  M.  Barrere,  who  was  a   little 
froid.     Madame  F.  I  still  greatly  admire.     Off  at  five  and 
home.     Dinner  p.  d.  t.,  bread,  baked  pears,  and  milk.     The 
last  three  days  have  been  vile,  foggy,  misty,  drizzling  rain. 

6.  To  breakfast  with  Mr.  Griswold.     Just  as  I  was  com- 
ing off  there  came  in  Mr.  Despard,  whose  father  was  exe- 
cuted in  England  as  a  spy.     To  Valkenaer's.     Nothing  from 
Amsterdam.      La   belle  Allemand  was  abroad.      To  Mr. 
Griswold's,  where  sat  an  hour.     Home.     Set  out.  at   four 


OF  AARON  BURR.  99 

for  Mrs.  Robertson's,  it  being  an  hour's  walk,  to  dine.  Met 
there  Mr.  Adamson.  At  dinner  madame  and  I  had  a  little 
difference,  in  which  I  thought  she  was  wanting  in  courtesy. 
Off  at  eight.  Exceedingly  stupid,  and  a  headache  from  a 
bad  wine,  of  which  I  drank  a  few  glasses. 

7.  Slept  off  the  headache.     At  eleven  to  Valkenaer's.     To 
breakfast  with  la  belle  Allemand,  and  to  escort   her  to  the 

Louvre.     Found  her  friend packing  up  and  preparing 

for  departure.     All  sad.     La  belle  went  with  me   to   her 
room,  where  we  took  breakfast.     She  begged  off  about  the 
Louvre,  and  I  took  a  cabriole  and  drove  over  to  Mrs.  Rob- 
ertson's, as  well  to  show  I  was  not  pouting  as  to  leave  the 
address  of  my  host,  Pelouse,  who  has  turned  wine-merchant. 
Mrs.  R.  was  in  her  bedroom,  and  as  it  takes  her  an  hour  to 
make  her  toilet,  I  did  not  stay  ;  but  sent  her  the  offer  of  my 
ticket  for  the  Louvre,  she  having  none.     She  declined  to  go 
abroad.     Home.     Paid  the  cabriole  forty  sous.     Note. — I 
borrowed  yesterday  from  Vanderlyn  five  francs,  to  take  la 
belle  Allemand  to  the   Louvre,  which   you  see  was  not  so 
spent.     Went  myself  to  Louvre,  paid  twenty  sous  for  cata- 
logue, and  forty  sous  for  something  else ;  so  that  I  am  just 
as  I  have  been  these  ten  days,  with  one  sous.     Dinner  to- 
day with  the  family.      Mr.  Paschaud,  the  husband  of  my 
friend,  was  there.      Alas  !   what  strange  associations  does 
hazard  make.     In  the  evening  to  Griswold's  till  nine.     He 
is  in  low  spirits. 

8.  Slept  none  till  four.     Being  warm  in  bed,  and  having 
no  fire,  had  not  the  courage  to  get  up  and  make  one.     Rose 
at  ten.     At  twelve  to  Valkenaer's,  where  I  ought  to  have 
been  at  eleven,  to  hand  a  gentleman  a  letter  to  Graves,  with 
which  he  had  promised  to  charge  himself.     Nothing  from 
Amsterdam.     To  Fonzi's,  where  got  all  the  information  de- 
sired for   Madame  Fenwick.     To  Crede's  to  get  of  him 
some  money.     Out  of  town,  and  will  not  return  until  Mon- 
day.    Home.     Dunned  by  the  commissionaire  for  four  sous, 

E2 


100  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

which  I  had  not.  At  half  past  four  to  Valkenaer's.  Alle- 
mand  less  triste  than  yesterday,  but  still  not  gay. 

After  dinner  played  whist.  Allemand  and  I  were  part- 
ners. The  game  was  five  sous.  As  I  had  not  one,  felt 
some  hesitation ;  but  engaged,  and  won  every  game,  which 
put  me  in  possession  of  cash  to  the  amount  of  sixty  sous,  or 
three  francs.  There  came  in  a  very  strange  sort  of  a  gen- 
tleman, whose  name  I  did  not  learn,  but  he  gened  me,  and 
I  came  off  at  eight. 

Our  card  party  was  quite  infantine.  We  scolded,  pouted, 
&c.,  and  parted  good  friends.  Have  engaged  to  call  for  Al- 
lemand at  twelve  to-morrow,  to  hunt  new  lodgings  ;  those 
she  now  occupies  are  about  undergoing  repairs. 

To  Mr.  Griswold's.  Left  word  that  I  would  breakfast 
with  him  at  half  past  nine,  but  doubt  whether  I  shall  be  able 
to  get  up.  The  two  days  past,  like  the  week  preceding, 
mist  and  cold  wind.  The  sun  did  appear  to-day  for  a  few 
minutes,  but  looked  sad. 

For  some  days  past,  and  more  particularly  to-day,  I  have 
been  in  a  state  of  irritability  very  unusual.  Answer  hastily 
and  rapid.  Say  things  almost  rude;  and  even  to  the  good 
Valkenaer  I  was  unkind,  and  not  always  civil  to  Allemand. 
Can  you  imagine  from  what  this  arises  ? 

9.  Lay  sleepless  till  three.  Got  up,  made  a  fire,  read  an 
hour,  and  made  a  hearty  supper  on  bread,  butter,  cheese, 
and  baked  apples,  with  a  pint  of  Roussillon.  At  five  went 
to  bed  again  arid  slept  till  ten.  At  twelve  to  Griswold's, 
and  then  to  Valkenaer's.  Allemand  had  made  arrange- 
ments with  her  landlord  for  another  room,  and  so  our  prom- 
enade did  not  take  place.  This  is  the  second  time,  you  see. 
To  Griswold's  an  hour,  to  talk  about  the  Prussian  debt. 
Home.  To  Madame  Fenwick's.  Met  there  the  secretary 
of  the  prize-court  and  Mr.  Tunnise,  who  had  the  famous 
lawsuit  with  his  uncle,  and  two  ladies.  Madame  was  in  bed, 
ill  with  a  cold.  Stayed  after  the  rest  went  out  an  hour. 
Have  always  new  occasion  to  admire  her  intelligence  and 


OF   AARON    BURR.  101 

her  candour.  Home  at  half  past  five.  Jul.  being  out,  made 
fire  and  boiled  my  p.  d.  t.,  but  she  had  left  a  bouillon  gras, 
and  I  made  a  better  dinner  than  I  ever  made  abroad,  except 
at  Vanderlyn's  when  I  direct.  Vanderlyn  came  in  and  sat 
an  hour.  My  sixty  sous  remain  entire,  except  four  paid  le 
commissionaire ;  and,  being  all  in  two  sous  pieces,  I  have 
literally  a  pocket  full  of  money.  Nothing  from  Amsterdam. 

10.  Jul.  made  a  fire,  and  put  on  the  water  as  usual  at 
eight.  The  shoeblack  came  at  nine,  but  I  slept  through  it 
all.  It  was  too  late  to  visit  Denon  or  to  breakfast  with  the 
family,  both  which  I  intended.  Got  out  at  one.  Rain,  snow, 
and  hard  wind.  To  Valkenaer's  ;  abed  and  not  visible. 
Came  off  home.  Deliberating  on  the  state  of  my  finances, 
found  that  this  sans  sous  state  was  not  only  inconvenient, 
but  dangerous ;  for  instance,  this  morning  I  hit  a  glass  win- 
dow with  my  umbrella,  and  had  nearly  forced  it  through  one 
of  those  large  panes.  In  such  a  case  you  have  only  to  pay, 
and  there's  an  end  of  it ;  but,  had  I  broken  the  pane  and  not 
been  able  to  pay  for  it,  I  must,  infallibly,  have  been  taken 
before  a  commissaire  de  police  to  abide  his  judgment. 

Casting  about  for  ways  and  means,  no  one  occurred  to 
me  but  that  of  robbing  poor  little  Gampy.  I  opened  his 
little  treasure  of  coins  and  medals  to  see  what  could  be 
spared,  and  finally  seized  one  Danish  dollar  (Thaler)  of 
Charles  VII.,  and  two  Swedish  Thalers  of  Gust.  IV.  With 
these  I  went  off  to  a  changeur,  who  gave  me  five  francs  five 
sous  each,  making  in  the  whole  fifteen  francs  fifteen  sous. 
With  this  treasure,  my  first  resolution  was  to  go  and  amuse 
myself  with  some  folly.  It  then  occurred  to  me  that  there 
were  certain  wants  which  required  consideration.  I  have 
been  three  days  out  of  sugar,  and  more  than  ten  out  of  coffee, 
having  lately  drank  tea,  and  I  had  not  a  single  segar. 

After  some  debating,  I  desperately  sallied  out  once  more 
in  the  rain,  bought  one  pound  of  coffee,  five  francs  five  sous, 
one  pound  cassinade  (brown  sugar),  three  francs  sixteen  sous ; 
and  seventy  segars,  four  francs  fifteen  sous,  making  in  all 


102  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

thirteen  francs  sixteen  sous.  So  that  I  had  left  of  my  rob- 
bery not  quite  two  francs,  which,  with  the  three  francs  won 
of  Valkenaer,  and  deducting  ten  sous  given  la  p.  this  morn- 
ing, left  a  balance  of  four  francs  nine  sous,  of  which  about 
three  francs  must  go  to  pay  the  washerwoman  to-morrow. 
This  act  of  desperation  having  put  it  out  of  my  power  to  go 
a  folly  hunting,  I  very  gravely  determined  not  to  go  abroad 
again. 

Jul.  brought  me  a  good  bouillon  gras,  which,  with  potatoes 
and  sausage,  made  an  excellent  dinner.  Treated  myself  to 
a  bottle  of  cider  and  a  pint  of  Roussillon,  and  have  smoked 
half  a  dozen  segars. 

During  this  long  dark  day  have  been  planning  a  winter's 
campaign.  Since  they  will  not  let  me  leave  France,  have 
projected  a  tour  to  the  Pyrenees,  by  way  of  Bourdeaux; 
thence  along  the  canal  by  Thoulouse  to  Marseilles,  and  so 
on  to  Genoa.  But  the  execution  of  this  pretty  project  de- 
pends, among  a  hundred  other  contingencies,  on  the  success 
of  my  Holland  Company  speculation. 

11.  Sat  up  till  past  two  reading.  At  eleven  to  Madame 
Fenwick's.  She  had  just  sent  a  servant  to  ask  me  to  a  tete- 
cl-te'te  dinner  to-day.  To  Denon's,  Crede's,  Duke  d'Alberg's  ; 
all  out.  To  Valkenaer's;  abed  and  not  visible.  Nothing 
from  Amsterdam.  Saw  there,  however,  Albertine.  Home 
at  two.  Did  nothing  till  half  past  four,  except  to  read.  To 
Fenwick's  to  dine.  A  plain,  good  dinner,  and  good  wines. 
Was  much  amused.  Engaged  to  breakfast  with  her  on  Fri- 
day, and  came  off  at  seven.  Have  been  deliberating  this 
evening  whether  to  commit  any  further  robberies  on  Gam- 
py,  and  have  determined  not.  Had  not  enough  cash  to  pay 
la  blanchis  this  morning  her  bill  (two  bills),  being  six  francs. 

My  room  is  about  ten  feet  square,  in  which  is  a  bed  and 
a  very  large  table.  The  fireplace  (more  like  an  oven)  is 
three  feet  deep  and  five  feet  wide.  Of  course,  smokes  per- 
petually. Having  endured  this  now  more  than  two  months, 
and  finding  my  eyes  the  worse  for  it,  sent  to-day  for  one  of 


OF  AARON   BURR.  103 

those  scientific  men  here  called  "fumistes."  Showed  him 
the  evil  and  proposed  a  remedy.  "  Mais  sur  quelles  prin- 
cipes  mons.  sont  fondis  vos  idees?"  In  vain  did  I  offer  to 
pay  for  his  work,  and  to  take  on  myself  the  hazard  of  the 
result.  Non  c'est  decarter  de  tous  les  principes ;  and  so 
we  parted.  Nineteen  out  of  twenty  of  the  chimneys  of 
Paris  (of  France,  I  might  say)  smoke  always,  and  the  other 
twentieth  occasionally.  In  vain  have  Franklin  and  Rumford 
shown,  by  fact  and  experiment,  how  chimneys  should  be 
built.  Their  obstinacy  and  stupidity  passes  belief.  And 
so  I  sit  enveloped  in  smoke,  or,  as  you  have  it,  sit  like  the 
gods  in  clouds.  Rain,  fog,  chilling  wind. 

12.  Slept  not  a  wink  till  past  five.  This  insomnia  must, 
I  think,  be  charged  to  the  coffee.  It  was  not,  however,  pure 
coffee  blanc,  but  a  mixture  of  a  little  of  the  ordinary  burned 
coffee  in  that  which  I  took  last  evening.  No  reproach,  there- 
fore, to  the  coffee  blanc. 

The  sun  shone,  though  dimly,  k  la  Francois.  Sor.  at 
twelve  to  Griswold's,  where  an  hour.  Thence  to  Vander- 
lyn's  to  get  more  newspapers.  While  there  it  commenced 
raining  ;  had  no  umbrella,  and  got  wet.  Home.  Jul.  being 
out,  made  fire,  and  sallied  forth  to  buy  some  addition  to  my 
p.  d.  t.  for  dinner.  Bought  half  pound  ham  for  sixteen  sous. 
Had  one  sous  left,  and  took  one  pound  cheese  on  credit. 
Home.  Dined  heartily  and  had  a  bottle  of  cider.  The  best 
cider  here  is  about  equal  to  our  common  first  cider.  Wa- 
ter cider.  Pleasant  .withal.  Added  a  pint  of  Roussillon. 
Found  on  my  arrival  at  home  a  card  from  Mr.  Forbes ;  the 
same  whom  you  so  often  met  at  Senat's,  in  New-York.  He 
was  civil  to  me  in  London,  and  I  am  very  impatient  to  see 
him.  Have  been  reading  the  newspapers  and  some  essays 
in  them,  and  at  one  shall  go  to  bed. 

14.  Restless  night.  Dreaming  of  the  watch.  Caught 
thief;  battles.  Alas!  all  dreams;  the  watch  irrecoverably 
gone.  At  half  past  nine  to  Denon's.  Received  well.  In- 
teresting conversation.  To  D'Alberg's.  To  Valkenaer's. 

VOL.  II.  7 


104  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

Still  abed,  but  cheerful.  Nothing  from  Amsterdam.  Passed 
hour  with  Alb.  Engaged  to  teach  her  English  every  even- 
ing, chez  elle.  To  Vanderlyn's  ;  got  New-York  papers,  and 
told  him  I  would  not  dine  with  him  as  had  engaged.  Home 
to  meet  Forbes  by  appointment.  He  arrived  just  after  me, 
and  sat  an  hour. 

At  five  to  Madame  Fenwick's,  where  tete-k-lete  till  past 
nine.  When  came  in  an  old  gentleman,  who  had  run  all  the 
way  from  the  opera  to  tell  of  some  bankruptcies.  If  I  could 
only  forget  that  watch.  Ring  too  gone.  • 

15.  At  half  past  nine  to  Griswold's ;  then  home  for  an 
hour.  To  see  Roux.  Stated  to  him  the  movements  in  F., 
and  represented  my  impatience  for  a  passport.  "  J'en  ferai 
rapport  au  ministre,"  which  the  minister  will  never  read. 
To  Vanderlyn's  to  get  him  to  send  your  picture  to  Madame 
Fenwick's.  To  St.  Pelasgie.  Sat  half  an  hour  with  Swan. 
Refused  to  dine  with  him.  Home.  Excessively  fatigued. 
My  foot  is  still  swollen,  or  rather  enlarged  (never,  I  fear,  to 
diminish),  whence  I  walk  with  labour.  Threw  myself  on 
the  bed.  Jul.  came  in  ;  supposed  I  was  sick.  I  asked  only 
to  be  let  alone.  She  left  me,  but  in  a  few  minutes,  and  just 
as  I  had  got  asleep,  she  came  in  with  a  bouillon  gras.  With 
great  difficulty  persuaded  her  to  put  it  by  the  fire  and  to  let 
me  repose.  Slept  half  an  hour  and  waked  perfectly  re- 
freshed. The  bouillon  gras  was  now  acceptable,  and  I 
added  potatoes  and  a  morsel  of  ham.  Forgot  to  tell  you  that 
I  did  on  Thursday  rob  Gampy  of  another  Swedish  coin,  to 
pay  my  epiciere  for  the  cheese. 

At  seven  to  Valkenaer's,  where  met  a  Spaniard  and  Alb. 
I  went  on  an  appointment  with  Alb.,  having  made  an  ar- 
rangement to  teach  her  English.  She  proposed  to  change 
the  hour  to  nine  in  the  morning,  and  the  place  to  her  room. 
Agreed.  Played  an  hour  backgammon  with  Valkenaer,  and 
he  beat  me  every  game.  Home  at  nine.  Haunted  all  day 
and  all  this  evening  by  the  watch  and  ring.  Bennet  Forbes 


OF    AARON    BURR.  105 

came  into  my  den  at  nine  and  sat  till  eleven.     Told  me  many 
curious  things  of  the  United  States. 

16.  At  ten  to  Griswold's,  and  borrowed  150  francs.     To 
Albertine's;   the   duenna   said    madame    had    gone    down. 
Came  off  without  seeing  Valkenaer,  or  farther  inquiry.     To 
Madame  Fenwick's.     Had  not  been  there  two  minutes  be- 
fore in  came  that  ill-looking  fellow,  Andrews,  and  I  came 
off.     Madame  engaged  me  to  dine  to-morrow.     Home.    Out 
at  half  past  one.     Near  Crede's,  met  him,  and  engaged  to 
dine  to-day.     Vanderlyn  had  not  sent  the  picture  lo  Fen- 
wick.     The  lazy  dog;  but  he  is  about  to  model  your  head 
en  platre,  which,  if  he  does,  shall  forgive  him  many  sins. 
Strolled  an  hour,  and  then  to  Crede's,  where  dined  en  fam- 
ille  a  I'Americaine.     Home  at  eight,  and  have  been  all  the 
evening  reading  American  newspapers. 

17.  Rose  voluntarily  at   half  past  six.     Lighted  a  fire, 
shaved  and  dressed,  and  got  my  breakfast  by  candlelight 
before  Jul.  came  in.     At  half  past  eight  to  Albertine's,  who 
received  me  in  bed.     She  got  up,  and  we  passed  an  hour  at 
English.     Home.     To  Forbes's,  whom  saw,  but  with  two 
Americans.     To  Denon's.     Farther  confabulation,  and  got 
tickets   for  Crede   and   daughters.     To  Crede's,  where  an 
hour.     Home  to  meet  a  carpenter  whom  I  had  engaged  to 
put  up  some  shelves,  for  I  have  no  place  to  put  anything. 
Books,  papers,  maps,  tobacco,  pipes,  segars,  sugar,  tea,  cof- 
fee, and  all  my  culinary  apparatus;  all  thrown  together,  of 
which  state  of  things,  and  the  size  of  my  room,  the  great  and 
only  advantage  is,  that  I  can  sit  in  my  chair  and  reach  every 
and  anything  that  I  possess.     The  carpenter  came  and  put 
up  four  coarse  shelves,  eleven  francs.     Boards  are  ten  sous 
the  running  foot. 

To  Javetty's  to  get  platina  for  a  new  operation  with 
Fonzi ;  but  he  had  none  prepared.  Home.  At  five  to  Ma- 
dame Fenwick's  to  dine  tete-a-tete  as  usual.  Came  off  at 
eight.  Your  picture  was  there,  and  you  were  the  principal 
topic.  She  thinks  it  worth  a  voyage  to  America  to  see  you, 


106  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

and  I  told  her  I  had  written  you  that  it  was  worth  a  voyage 
to  France  to  see  her. 

Have  had  consultation  with  Lepine  and  with  Halen  to- 
day about  the  lost  watch.  Neither  of  them  could  give  me 
the  number,  and  both  discourage  me  from  any  advertise- 
ment or  other  recherche  as  utterly  fruitless.  So  that  my 
despair  on  that  head  is  now  complete. 

18.  At  nine  to  Albert.'s.     Out.     Which  I  do  not  believe, 
and  shall,  therefore,  desist.     To  Griswold's,  where  break- 
fasted, and  sat  till  eleven.     Home  an  hour.     At  three  to  my 
shoemaker's.     Paid  sixteen  francs  for  two  pairs  of  shoes, 
but  refused  the  boots,  being  too  small.     This  has  happened 
every  time  I  have  engaged  a  new  shoemaker  for  twenty 
years.     On  to  Vanderlyn's,  where  dined.     After  dinner  sat 
with  him  for  the  opera ;  but,  when  at  the  door,  finding  it  was 
a  piece  we  had  both   seen,  we  parted  ;  I  to  Valkenaer's, 
where  Alb.,  B.,  &c.,  at  cards.     V.  being  weary,  look  his 
hand,  and  lost  every  game.     They  would  receive  nothing, 
saying  there  was  no  stake.     So  next  time  I  will  receive 
nothing.     Alb.  and  I  rather  cool.     Off  at  eight.     To  Gris- 
wold's, where  two  hours,  talking  religion  and  finance.    Home. 

19.  At  nine  came  in  a  young  mason ;  also  a  "fumiste" 
whom  my  carpenter  recommended  to  me  to  cure  my  chim- 
ney.    He  consented   to  work  under  my  direction.     I   di- 
rected the  laying  of  every  brick,  and  at  every  one  he  paused 
to  remonstrate  against  the  absurdity.     Still  he  obeyed,  al- 
ways remonstrating,  "  pa  n'ira  pas,  monsieur  ;  je  ne  repondrai 
pas."     *'  Monsieur,  c'est  mon    affaire."      The  work  being 
done  at  twelve,  fire  was  immediately  lighted,  and  we  all 
watched  the  effect  with  great  solicitude.     It  answered  per- 
fectly.    The  fumiste  gazed  with  astonishment  and  admira- 
tion, and  seemed  to  conceive  a  most  profound  respect  for  me. 

The  rest  of  the  day  was  employed  in  washing  out  the 
room,  arranging,  &c.  Dinner  at  three.  Sorti  at  seven  to 
Valkenaer's,  where  played  cards  two  hours  with  the  same 
pa.rty  as  last  evening.  Albertine  pretended  to  be  greatly 


OF    AARON    BURR.  107 

hurt  that  I  had  not  called  this  morning.  Home  at  nine,  and 
have  enjoyed  rny  new  fireplace.  Mr.  Forbes  had  called 
during  my  absence,  and  left  a  line,  apologizing  for  not  send- 
ing the  newspapers  he  had  promised. 

Rain,  or  rather  mist,  and  chilly  wind  all  day.  Albertine 
is  certainly  the  most  lovely  creature  I  have  seen  in  France. 

20.  Yesterday  at  dinner  I  had  a  bottle  of  the  common  12 
sous  wine,  of  which  drank  above  half.     It  made  me  very 
sick  and  stupid.     Went  to  bed  at  eleven  in  hopes  of  sleep- 
ing it  off,  and  lay  till  past  eight;  but  rose  with  a  dull,  slight 
headache.     Took  a  dish  of  tea,  but  ate  nothing.     At  eleven, 
note  from  Fenwick  requesting  to  see  me  at  eleven  to-mor- 
row.    At  one  to  Fonzi's,  and  thence  to  Lepine's.     Home  at 
three,  and  made  myself  a  great  bowl  of  coffee  blanc,  and  at 
this  hour,  eight  P.  M.,  the  effects  of  that  vile  draught  are 
passed  off.     There  has  been  a  faint  sunshine,  and  no  rain  to 
day. 

Wrote  letter  to  Dr.  Hosack,  at  request  of  Madame  Fen- 
wick,  introducing  to  his  correspondence  Mr.  Calmelet,  ami 
de  Madame  F.,  et  botaniste. 

21.  At  ten  to  Denon's.     Out;  which  I  doubt.     He  too, 
perhaps,  has  got  frightened.     To   Crede's,  where  half  an 
hour.     To  Madame  Fenwick's.     Met  there  Mons.  Calmelet, 
who  is  not  Mr.  Calmelet,  but  the  beau  fils  De  Calmelet,  and 
so  takes  either  name.     Found  him  tedious,  very  talkative, 
and    will  hear  nobody.     Off  at    twelve.     To  Valkenaer's. 
Saw  him  in  bed.     Albertine   by  his  bedside.     Talked  of 
business  an  hour.     Albert.,  fearing  that  she  might  be  in  the 
way,  went  out.     After  leaving  Valkenaer,  passed  half  an 
hour  with  Albertine  alone.     Have  agreed  to  resume    the 
English  lessons.     Home,  and   thence  au  caffe  corazza  au 
Pal.  Royalto  meet  Crede  by  appointment.     He  came,  and 
I  walked  home  with  him,  and  there  dined  en  famille.     Gave 
to  his  son  the  watch-ring  to  pawn  for  ten  louis,  for  I  have 
not  money  to  pay  either  for  my  boots,  which  came  home 
this  morning,  or  my  room-rent,  due  to-morrow 


108  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

Had  appointed  to  meet  Vanderlyn  at  five  at  my  house, 
but  this  pawning  business  put  it  out  of  my  head.  For  the 
first  time  forgot  an  appointment.  Just  after  dinner  thought 
of  it.  Got  home  a  little  past  six,  but  Vanderlyn  had  come 
and  gone.  Mr.  Paschaud  called  this  evening  to  bid  adieu. 
He  leaves  town  to-morrow. 

22.  Tried  to  get  up  at  seven,  but  slept  till  nine,  when  was 
called  up  by  a  message  from  Mr.  Griswold,  asking  me  to 
breakfast  with  him.     Went  at  ten  and  stayed  two  hours. 
To  Crede's.     He  could  only  get  three  louis  on  the  ring, 
which  I  refused.    Home.    Ruminating  what  was  to  be  done. 
Got  home  in  very  bad  humour.     To  Valkenaer's,  where  a 
few  minutes,  and  then  to  Griswold's  to  meet  Crede  by  ap- 
pointment; but  he  came  not.     Griswold  asked  me  to  dine, 
which  refused.     Home,  and  have  been  since  four,  till  now, 
twelve,  reading  John  Lambert's  Travels  in  North  America. 
To  give  the  character  of  A.  Burr,  he  copies  part  of  Wirt's 
speech  on  the  trial  at  Richmond. 

23.  The  lethargic  propensities  preponderate  in  spite  of 
me.     At  one  to  Griswold's ;  very  nervous,  and  quite  unde- 
cided as  to  his  project ;  but  discouraged  about  the  Holland 
Company  affair ;  so  that,  after  all  my  vexation,  it  will  come 
to  naught. 

Yesterday  Mr.  Rochette  sent  to  dun  me  for  spectacles 
had  last  summer.  The  shoemaker  came  also  for  his  money  ; 
and  yesterday  was  due  my  room-hire,  thirty  francs.  From 
Griswold's  to  Valkenaer's,  where  half  an  hour  with  Albertine. 
Home.  Vanderlyn  came  in  at  seven  and  sat  an  hour,  and  at 
nine  Mr.  Forbes,  who  sat  till  eleven. 

I  am  about  to  undertake  the  translation  from  English  into 
French  of  two  octavo  volumes  for  one  hundred  louis.  It  will 
take  me  three  months  hard  work.  Better  than  to  starve. 
But  the  most  curious  part  of  the  story  is,  that  the  book  in 
question  contains  a  quantity  of  abuse  and  libels  on  A.  Burr. 
Bought  a  law  pamphlet  of  fifty-two  pages  for  six  sous, 
which  have  read  this  evening 


OF    AARON    BURR.  109 

These  two  days  have  been  warm,  but  damp,  misty  ;  what 
in  your  country  is  called  muggy  weather.  Raining  this  af- 
ternoon and  evening. 

24.  At  twelve  to  Mr.  Griswold's,  who  is  still  nervous.    To 
Valkenaer's.     Nothing  from  Amsterdam.     This  delay  be- 
comes afflicting.     First,  because  the  speculation  will  be  lost 
by  it.     Second,  my  distress  for  small  sums,  having  now  half 
a  dozen  little  debts,  together  amounting  to  about  thirty  dol- 
lars, which  torment  me.      Third,  it  is  so  inexplicable,  Am- 
sterdam being  only  five  days  by  the  mail,  that — that — I  don't 
know  what.     Sat  with  Albert,  a  few  minutes.     Came  home 
and  locked  myself  up  against  duns.     But  I  have  omitted  the 
most  material  part  of  the  morning.     At  half  past  ten  to  De- 
non's,  who  received  me  with  his  accustomed  politeness,  and 
asked  me  to  a  dejeune  of  ceremonie  on  Friday  at  twelve, 
when   I  shall   meet   some  of  the  dignitaries.     Thence  to 
Crede's,  where  half  an  hour,  and  then  to  Griswold's,  as  be- 
fore said. 

At  five  to  dine  tete-a-tete  with  Madame  Fenwick,  where 
till  eight.  Thence  home  to  meet  Forbes,  but  he  has  not 
come. 

25.  At  ten  to  Mr.  Griswold's.     Still  nervous,  but  better. 
To  Valkenaer's  ;  abed,  and  still  suffering  with  the  gout;  but 
always  kind.     Sat  an  hour  with  him,  and  half  an  hour  with 
Albertine.     To  Fonzi's  an  hour,  and  to  good  purpose.     To 
Griswold's   to  get   some  letters  of  Jul.,  which   Griswold's 
secretary  had  copied  for  me.    Home.    Wrote  note  to  Forbes, 
and,  going  out  to  carry  it,  met  him  at  the  gate  with  a  note 
in  his  hand  for  me.     At  three  to  Vanderlyn's  atelier,  and 
thence  with  him  to  his  house,  where  he  and  I  dined.     Bor- 
rowed of  him  two  louis.     He  walked  home  with  me.     On 
the  way  called  to  pay  my  bootmaker,  but  he  was  all  locked 
up.     At  nine  came  Forbes,  and  sat  till  half  past,  eleven. 

The  three  days  past  have  been  warm  as  summer,  but  fog, 
mist,  rain,  strong  wind.  Yesterday  the  heat  unpleasant. 

26.  At  half  past  eight  to  Madame  Fenwick's  in  the  char- 


110  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

acter  of  fwniste.  Every  chimney  in  her  house  smokes 
sometimes,  and  most  of  them  always.  I  was  railing  against 
the  stupidity  of  the  Parisians,  and  quoted  this  among  other 
instances.  She  challenged  me  to  cure  the  evil.  Accepted  ; 
and  she  assigned  for  the  trial  of  my  American  skill  the  worst 
in  the  house.  It  had  been  already  in  the  hands  of  several 
scientific  fumistes.  Some  applied  their  remedies  at  the  top, 
and  others  at  the  bottom,  but  equally  without  effect.  This 
morning  was  assigned  for  my  experiment,  and  she  gave  me 
carte  blanche.  At  half  past  eight  I  found  the  mason,  the 
brick,  and  the  mortar.  We  went  to  work.  She,  in  the  mean 
time,  made  me  breakfast  (coffee  blanc  and  honey)  in  the  ad- 
joining room.  She  amusing  herself  at  my  folly.  Several 
visitors  called,  and  all  came  in  to  see  what  was  going  for- 
ward. Satirical,  but  pleasant  remarks  were  made.  On  my 
part  there  was  no'  sort  of  reply.  At  length  the  work  was 
finished.  At  eleven  we  made  a  large  fire.  The  chimney 
drew  to  perfection.  The  doors  and  windows  might  be  open 
or  shut ;  nothing  disturbed  the  draught.  What  added  greatly 
to  the  merit  of  the  result  is,  that  the  day  was  the  most  un- 
favourable. A  vehement  wind  from  a  quarter  that  always 
had  filled  the  house  with  smoke.  "  Sir,  if  you  will  announce 
yourself  as  a  '  fumiste,'  you  will  make  a  fortune." 

At  two  to  my  shoemaker's,  whom  paid  forty  one  francs. 
To  Mr.  Griswold's.  He  is  totally  discouraged  about  the 
Holland  Company  affair.  Thinks  my  hundred  louis  in  great 
danger  in  the  hands  of  Valkenaer,  and  urges  me  to  withdraw 
them  if  I  can.  Crede  is  of  the  same  opinion.  I  will  not. 
Griswold  agreed  to  meet  me  at  Valkenaer's,  to  be  introduced 
to  him,  and  I  went  thither.  Found  V.  in  bed,  but  not  worse. 
Griswold  came  in,  and  we  stayed  an  hour,  Albertine  being 
one  of  the  party,  and  prolonging  our  visit.  We  separated, 
and  I  came  home.  Found  there  had  been  another  message 
from  Rochette  about  his  account. 

27.  Couche  at  eleven,  in  hopes  to  get  a  great  sleep ;  but 
this  experiment  rarely  succeeds.  Lay  awake  till  two.  Rose 


OF    AARON    BURR.  Ill 

at  four.  At  ten  to  Griswold's  ;  quite  out  of  sorts.  To  Fon- 
zi's  by  appointment.  The  fondeur  had  not  brought  home 
his  work,  and  so  nothing  could  be  done.  To  Valkenaer's, 
where  an  hour  with  him  and  Albertine.  Home,  stopping  by 
the  way  at  a  bookstore,  where  bought  Le  Lavater  des  Fem- 
rnes,  with  coloured  plates. 

Began  wrong.  At  half  past  eight  to  Vanderlyn's,  to  see 
if  he  had  pledged  the  watch-ring  and  to  get  the  money. 
He  had  done  nothing. 

Dinner  on  vermicelli.  A  very  bad  dinner.  Made  it  up 
by  bread,  butter,  and  honey.  Oh  !  I  forgot  to  tell  you  that 
Madame  Fenwick  made  me  yesterday  a  present  of  a  barrel 
of  most  delicious  honey.  Don't  stare,  hussy ;  not  such  a 
barrel  as  one  of  your  rice  barrels ;  but  a  pretty  little  thing, 
holding  about  two  quarts. 

After  dinner  Vanderlyri  came  in.  He  can  get  only  six 
louis  on  the  watch-ring.  They  say  it  is  worth  only  ten. 
At  seven  to  Valkenaer's,  and  got  of  him  two  hundred  and 
fifty  francs  of  my  Holland  Company  deposite,  which  he  says 
shall  not  affect  the  speculation.  Home.  A  note  from  Mons. 
Denon  reminding  me  of  the  breakfast  to-morrow.  A  note 
from  Mr.  Forbes,  saying  that  his  jaunt  is  up.  Can't  get  a 
passport.  Rochette's  man  came  again  this  morning.  This 
determined  me  to  get  some  of  the  money  of  Valkenaer. 

28.  My  invitation  to  breakfast  was  for  one.  Was  at  De- 
non's  a  little  before  that  hour.  There  came  in  two  gentle- 
men, whose  names  I  did  not  hear.  One  of  them  offered  me 
letters  for  the  south  of  France  in  case  I  should  travel  thither. 
Other  guests  were  expected ;  and  after  two  Mr.  Denon 
looked  often  out  of  the  window,  and  appeared  impatient. 
Just  before  three  came  in  le  Due  de  Bassano,  secretary  of 
state,  la  duchesse,  Madame  Duchrest,  &c.  At  half  past 
three  we  sat  down  to  breakfast.  The  duke  asked  me  to  sit 
next  him.  La  duchesse,  who  is  handsome,  was  opposite. 
The  two  other  ladies  on  each  side  of  her.  The  duke  en- 
gaged me  often  in  conversation.  The  first  course  was  oy- 


112  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

sters  in  the  shell,  raw ;  very  small.  Much  less  than  your 
Pelharn  oysters,  and,  like  all  I  have  tasted  on  this  side  the 
Atlantic,  a  copperish  taste.  Then  came  a  roast  turkey, 
and  roasted  beccassins.  Then  a  large  fish,  and  other  things 
boiled  and  stewed.  Then  a  sort  of  cold  patisserie.  The 
fruits,  pears,  apples,  grapes,  and  oranges  were  always  on 
table,  and  were  now  served.  Wine  for  ordinary  drinking 
was  also  always  on  table,  and,  with  the  dessert,  were  sent 
round  in  glasses  various  kinds  of  delicate  wines.  Nobody 

was  very  gay  nor  very  silent  except  Madame  ,  who 

never  uttered  a  syllable  except  once  in  a  whisper  to  a  gen- 
tleman next  to  her.  Just  before  five  we  left  the  breakfast- 
table  and  retired  to  the  adjoining  room.  The  duke  took  me 
by  the  arm.  Here  coffee  was  served,  all  standing,  and  then 
liqueurs.  The  duke  retired  first,  saying  to  rne,  "J'aurai 
1'honneur  de  vous  revoir,"  and  I  soon  followed. 

I  had  a  good  deal  of  conversation  with  the  duke  before 
breakfast.  Told  him  my  story ;  the  vexations  I  had  expe- 
rienced about  a  passport ;  the  injustice  of  detaining  me,  &c. 
&c. ;  and  I  took  occasion,  also,  to  recall  to  his  recollection 
the  business  which  brought  me  here;  how  exactly  rny  pre- 
dictions had  been  verified  ;  that  it  was  not  yet  too  late,  &c. ; 
to  all  which  he  not  only  listened  with  courtesy,  but  put  many 
questions  tending  to  produce  further  illustrations  and  ex- 
planations. From  all  this  I  infer  that  a  passport  will  not 
long  be  denied  rne  ;  but  then,  alas  !  there  is  no  vessel  going, 
and  it  may  be  long  before  I  may  find  one  which  would  take 
me,  and  in  which  I  should  be  willing  to  go.  My  friends, 
too — but  one  thing  at  once. 

From  Denon's  went  to  Crede's.  They  were  at  dinner, 
and  so  I  could  not  go  in.  Home  for  an  hour,  and  then  to 
Valkenaer's,  where  a  few  minutes.  Nothing  of  Holland 
Company  affair.  To  Fonzi's.  Appointed  Sunday  to  work 
for  me.  Home. 

At  nine  came  in  Forbes  and  sat  an  hour.  The  passport 
denied  yesterday  has  been  granted  to  him  to-day.  In  a 


OF  AARON  BURR.  113 

bookseller's  store,  yesterday,  met  that  Mr.  Martin  who  last 
April  got  me  a  ticket  for  the  chapel  and  escorted  me  thither. 
He  renewed  the  acquaintance,  and  asked  me  to  breakfast 
with  him  on  Saturday,  to  which  agreed. 

29.  At  ten  to  Mr.  Martin's  to  breakfast,  and  thence  to 
the  Duke  d'Alberg's,  whom  saw  a  few  minutes.     Promised 
me  a  letter  of  introduction  to  the  new  prefet.     To  Madame 

,  to  know  what  had  become  of  Mrs.  Robertson.     She 

was  not  visible,  but  allowed  me  to  talk  through  the  door. 
Threatened  to  break  it.     A  great  alarm.     A  tour,  and  bought 
a  pretty  little  basket  for  cadet  for  Madame  Paschaud.     At 
five  to  dine  with  Mrs.  Fenwick.     There  till  eight..  Home. 
At  nine  came  in  Forbes,  and,  to  my  surprise,  had  got  his 
passport,  and  will  go  to-morrow  at  one.     This  put  me  in  a 
great  bustle,  having  many  letters  to  write.     Shall   do  no- 
thing to-night. 

This  being  the  coldest,  day  we  have  had  this  year,  and,  as 
usual,  very  windy,  put  off  my  flannel  waistcoat,  which  I  had 
worn  for  about  a  month.  Ten  Napoleons  lent  by  Forbes  in 
spite  of  all  I  could  do.  They  are  of  no  use  to  me  now,  and 
on  his  return  the  very  same  ten  Napoleons  will  be  returned 
to  him.  .1  think  he  wanted  them  full  as  much  as  I  do. 

30.  Got  my  breakfast  as  fast  as  possible.     Wrote  letters 
to   Gahn,  Bentharn,   Graves,   and    Mrs.  Godwin.      Read  a 
long  maritime  case  for  Graves,  and  wrote  an  opinion  thereon. 
Went  out  and  bought  two  pamphlets  for  Bentharn.     A  little 
almanac  for  Graves,  and  two  newspapers  for  Mrs.  Godwin. 
Three  leetle  books  for  the  three  Godwins.     Had  to  seal  all 
up,  and  handed  them  to  Mr.  Forbes  before  one.     Busy,  and 
in  bad  humour.     To  Valkenaer's,  who  is  never  in  bad  hu- 
mour.    Home.     Dinner,  beef  and  potatoes,  with  cider  and 
Roussillon.     At  six  to  Crede's,  to  get  his  son  to  buy  some 
books  for  me  at  auction.     They  go  often  at  four  and  five 
sous  a  volume.     Home  at  eight,  and   have  been  till  now 
reading,  by  command  of  Madame  Fenwick,  a  pamphlet  on 
the  movement  of  waves. 


114  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

31.  At  half  past  ten  to  Denon's.  He  promised  to  think 
and  inquire  about  my  affair.  To  Paschaud's,  whither  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Pelouse  have  removed  some  days  ago.  To  Mr. 
Griswold's,  who  is  a  little  better.  He  will  go  to  Bourdeaux 
in  a  few  days,  there  to  remain.  So  my  Holland  Company 
affair  is  blown  up.  Home  for  an  hour ;  then  to  Valkenaer's. 
Abed  and  no  better.  He  had  just  received  a  letter  from 
Holland,  saying  that  the  papers  were  on  the  way,  but 
whether  any  purchase  had  been  made  for  me  is  not  said. 
Fear  they  will  come  too  late.  To  Fonzi's,  where  till  four ; 
then  home  to  change  my  dress,  though  it  has  been  agreed 
between  .Madame  Fenwick  and  me  that  I  may  always  go 
in  boots,  of  which  I  always  profit.  At  five  to  Fenwick's, 
who  received  me  en  cav. ;  greatly  flattered  by  the  confidence. 
At  eight  we  walked  together,  where  madame  had  an  engage- 
ment, and  there  parted.  I  then  deliberated  whether  I  should 
do  some,  and  what  folly  for  a  Newyear's  eve  !  A  certain 
poet  says,  "  He  that  deliberates  is  lost."  It  did  not  turn 
out  so  this  time,  for  I  resolved  to  go  quietly  on  home,  first 
taking  a  tour  through  the  Palais  Royal,  to  observe  how  the 
evening  was  celebrated.  I  see  nothing  doing,  except  that 
there  are  rather  more  people  than  (the  last  time  I  shall  ever 
write  1810,  but,  alas  !  not  the  last  time  I  shall  write  Paris) 
usual,  and  more  bonbons  and  jujus  selling  and  exhibited. 
Home  before  nine.  Have  great  comfort  in  my  little  fire- 
place. Have  been  drinking  cider  and  smoking  segars. 
Reading  a  history  of  the  Languedoc  Canal. 

Yesterday  was  cold,  arid  to-day  colder.  Quite  winter. 
The  gutters  all  froze  hard.  Put  on  my  flannel  waistcoat 
this  morning,  as  I  wear  no  surtout,  for  a  great  many  philo- 
sophic reasons  ;  principally  because  I  have  not  got  one. 
The  old  greatcoat  which  I  brought  from  America  still 
serves  in  travelling,  if  I  should  ever  again  travel. 

Happy  Newyear !  mother  and  Gampy.  Ah  !  I  catched 
you  both  !  The  clock  is  now  striking  twelve. 


OF  AARON  BURR.  115 


TO  THEODOSIA. 

Paris,  November  10, 1810. 

Alas  !  my  dear  Theodosia,  I  have  no  hope  of  seeing  you 
this  winter.  It  is  more  than  five  months  since  I  have  been 
constantly  soliciting  from  this  government  a  passport  for 
America.  Fair  promises  and  civil  words  have  been  received, 
but  nothing  more.  It  would  be  folly  to  hope,  yet  daily  some 
new  occurrence  or  new  promise  inspires  new  hope.  There 
is,  however,  at  this  moment  no  probability  of  finding  a  suit- 
able passage,  even  if  I  had  a  passport.  The  only  consola- 
tion which  I  can  offer  you  for  this  disappointment  is,  that 
my  health  continues  unimpaired,  and  that  I  have  the  present 
means  of  support.  A  little  addition  to  those  means  would 
not  be  inconvenient.  Continue  to  write  to  that  gentleman 
on  whose  unpaid  notes  I  relied,  and  of  which  not  a  cent 
has  been  received.  This  delay  will  also  give  you  time  for 
the  other  negotiation  so  often  urged  upon  you.  John  P. 
Van  Ness  could  inform  you  something,  and  your  corn-curer 
more. 

Not  a  line  from  you  since  August,  1809;  fifteen  months 
ago.  It  is  only  by  mere  accident  that  I  know  that  you  were 
living  in  July  last.  If  you  hope  that  a  letter  from  you  should 
reach  me,  you  must  not  content  yourself  with  just  writing  a 
letter  on  the  spur  of  the  occasion  ;  but  write  whatever  you 
shall  think  interesting  to  me,  and  make  at  once  three  or  four 
copies.  Send  them  to  Gahn,  and  desire  him  to  forward 
them  by  different  occasions  ;  and  so  every  month  the  same. 
I  have  many  questions  to  ask  you  about  Luther  Martin. 
You  can  devise  and  answer  them  without  their  being  put 
down.  His  devoted  friendship  has  sunk  deep  into  my 
heart. 

I  live  with  a  very  amiable  Genevoise  family,  of  which  I 
am  a  member.  Every  evening  I  devote  half  an  hour, 
sometimes  an  hour,  to  you.  If  any  safe  hand  should  offer, 
a  parcel  of  this  journal  shall  be  sent  you  by  way  of  sample. 


116  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

The  whole  subject  is  Gamp.  No  wise  reflections  on  foreign 
countries.  No  big  traveller's  lies.  But  you  shall  see.  The 
books  I  have  bought  for  you  and  the  boy  are  a  great  encum- 
brance to  me ;  yet  I  can  find  no  way  of  sending  them. 

A.  BURR. 

TO    DR.    HOSACK. 

Paris,  December  20, 1810. 

Tt  would  gratify  me  exceedingly  if  you  should  have  it  in 
your  power  to  execute  the  order  herewith  enclosed  of  Mr. 
Calmelet;  but  I  have  desired  his  friend  to  inform  him  (not 
having  myself  the  honour  of  a  personal  acquaintance)  that 
no  such  thing  can  be  expected.  That  most  probably  not 
one  of  the  articles  will  be  found  with  any  "  rnarchand  de 
greens"  in  America,  and  that  to  execute  his  order  would 
require  to  open  a  correspondence  with  perhaps  fifty  persons 
in  different  parts  of  the  continent,  and  to  pursue  the  thing 
for  years.  It  is  not  imagined  that  you  will  do  all  this  ;  but 
it  is  hoped  that  you  have  many  of  the  articles  in  your  own 
garden  ;  and  as  you  know,  better  than  any  man,  where  and 
how  the  others  can  be  had,  some  may  possibly  be  procured 
without  more  trouble  than  may  be  consistent  with  your 
various  and  important  engagements. 

To  furnish  you,  however,  with  an  inducement,  in  addition 
to  that  of  obliging  me,  I  have  stipulated  that  Mr.  Calmelet 
shall  forward  herewith,  from  the  imperial  garden,  some  of 
the  articles  most  likely  to  be  acceptable.  The  selection  will 
be  made  by  a  person  of  taste  and  science,  whom  I  am  not 
permitted  to  name.  The  single  one  of  my  choice  is  that 
precious  herb  estragore,  which  you  will  have  the  honour  of 
introducing  into  our  country.  My  good  and  amiable  friend, 
Mrs.  Gates,  must  divide  this  treasure  with  you. 

Not  a  line  has  been  received  from  you  since  my  arrival 
in  France.  Make  haste  to  let  me  hear  from  you,  for  my 
residence  in  this  country  is  like  to  be  prolonged,  much 
against  my  will.  A.  BURR. 


OF    AARON    BURR.  117 


FROM    THEODOSIA. 

Oaks  (8.  C.),  January  8,  1811. 

At  length  I  have  had  the  happiness  to  receive  intelligence 
of  you  in  some  degree  satisfactory.  Your  letter  of  the 
twenty-sixth  of  September  has  come  to  relieve  me  from  the 
state  of  daily,  hourly  expectation,  anxiety,  and  suspense  in 
which  I  have  remained  for  a  year.  Exactly  twelve  months 
ago  I  received  a  letter  from  you  dated  at  Stockholm  ;  in  it 
you  earnestly  requested,  or  rather  commanded,  me  to  visit 
Charleston  during  the  course  of  the  winter.  Of  course, 
this  made  me  suppose  you  intended  to  be  there.  But,  in- 
stead of  going  to  town,  I  went  to  bed,  where  I  spent  nearly 
three  months.  During  my  illness,  the  hope  of  seeing  you, 
disappointment  at  your  delay,  and  terror  lest  your  silence 
might  have  been  occasioned  by  some  unfortunate  accident, 
kept  me  in  a  state  of  mind  little  short  of  distraction. 

Imagine  to  yourself  the  feelings  of  a  woman  whose  nat- 
urally irritable  nerves  were  disordered  by  severe  illness,  and 
who,  during  weeks  of  solitude,  and  pain,  and  inoccupation, 
lay  pondering  incessantly,  amid  doubt  and  impatience,  and 
hope  and  fear,  on  the  subject  which  mingled  through  the 
whole  extent  of  her  soul.  Yon,  who  can  so  well  and  so  sin- 
gularly bring  home  to  yourself  the  feelings  of  others,  and 
adopt  them  when  they  are  quite  strange  to  you.  Think  of 
my  situation,  and  with  me  wonder  that  I  did  not  go  mad. 

My  illness  was,  I  believe,  occasioned  principally  by  some 
affection  of  the  liver.  Dr.  Waring  again  attended  me  with 
the  ^ame  care  as  formerly.  He  talked  to  me,  too,  about 
you.  Expressed  his  friendship  and  respect  for  you,  and 
joined  me  in  wishing  for  you.  This  did  me  more  good 
than  his  medicine.  When  will  this  gloom  of  absence  pass 
away  ?  When  will  your  presence  dawn  upon  me  again  ? 

In  the  spring  we  went  to  Grenville,  where  Mr.  Alston 
has  purchased  a  farm  and  is  building  a  comfortable  house. 
That  climate  agrees  perfectly  with  me  and  my  son,  who 


118  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

went  there  with  a  bilious  fever,  and  has  returned  with  bril- 
liant roses.  My  neighbours  are  plain,  good  people,  the 
poorer  sort  particularly.  I  mean  those  who  live  comfortably, 
but  work  for  it.  They  are  kind-hearted,  and  some  of  them 
seem  devoted  to  me.  Thus,  as  far  as  health,  and  plenty, 
and  comfort  can  go,  Grenville  pleases  me  greatly.  You 
might  visit  us  there  without  hesitation. 

How  could  you,  dear  Mentor,  how  could  you  write  to  me 
in  cipher,  without  previously  giving  me  the  key  ?  I  have 
worked,  and  wept,  and  torn  the  paper,  and  thrown  myself 
down  in  despair,  and  rose  full  of  some  new  thought,  and 
tried  again  to  fail  again,  till  my  heart  is  worn  out  with  a 
constant  renewal  of  the  same  scene.  Still,  however,  all 
your  last  letters  remain  unciphered.  I  continue  to  make 
some  new  attempt  now  almost  daily,  but  in  vain.  Your 
last  question  in  cipher,  of  March  16,  1810,  I  copied  and 
sent  to  E.  A.  for  her  assistance,  but  with  no  better  success. 
How  could  you  do  this  ?  You  know  how  very  stupid  I  am 
at  deciphering,  and  our  correspondence  had  been  unmolest- 
ed. But  it  is  useless  to  regret  what  has  received  the  seal  of 
action.  Only,  I  beseech  you,  resume  the  old  cipher,  or  in 
that  send  me  the  new  key.  This  alteration  has  distressed 
me  the  more,  because  I  have  reason  to  suppose  that  an- 
swers would  be  useful  to  you,  at  least  they  would  be  satis 
factory,  and  it  is  not  in  my  power  to  give  them. 

On  the  subject  of  pecuniary  affairs  I  can  say  nothing 
pleasing.  Mari  has  offered  the  two  lower  plantations  for 
sale  ;  but,  although  the  advertisement  has  continued  for  sev- 
eral months,  no  proposals  were  received.  He  would  se^ll  at 
almost  anything;  but  the  country  is  in  a  dreadful  slate. 
Everybody  is  trying  to  sell,  and  no  one  will  or  can  buy. 
Our  produce  brings  in  little  or  nothing.  Every  article  of 
clothing  and  groceries  are  higher  than  when  you  was  here. 
Such  is  the  situation  of  the  country,  that  even  Mari  con- 
demns the  present  measures  of  government,  and  joins  in  the 
almost  universal  cry  for  free  commerce  or  war,  without  de- 


OF    AARON    BURR.  119 

lays  or  temporizing  any  longer.  Mari  is  kind  to  me  in  ev- 
erything, but  his  family  *************.  I  tell  you  this, 
because  I  begin  to  think  that  Hannibal  has  got  to  Capua. 
Why  else  this  lengthened  visit?  Come  home;  you  may, 
without  fear,  come  home ;  make  any  sacrifice ;  risk  any- 
thing, rather  than  continue  to  lead  this  unpleasant  and  un- 
profitable life. 

I  told  you  that  I  wrote  to  85 — 87  shortly  after  my  return 
from  New- York.  Her  answer  was  full  of  friendship,  but 
nothing  more.  She  says  that  nothing  is  in  his  power,  and 
that  he  regrets  it.  I  will  obtain  the  opinion  of  Luther  Mar- 
tin, and  send  it  to  you. 

Since  my  last  letter  our  little  circle  has  been  sadly  dimin- 
ished. In  January,  1810,  Dr.  Brown  expired  in  an  apoplec- 
tic fit.  But  what  I  more  seriously  bewail  is,  the  loss  of  my 
amiable  and  affectionate  cousin,  A.  B.  Reeves.  He  was 
carried  off  by  the  dysentery  last  summer.  He  left  no  child. 

THEODOSIA. 

TO  THEODOSIA. 

Paris,  January  29,  1811. 

For  seven  months  I  have  been  asking  a  passport  to  return 
to  the  United  States,  but  have  not  yet  obtained  it.  The 
season  would  now  retard  me  if  the  government  did  not.  Tt 
being  uncertain  when  I  may  be  permitted  to  leave  the  coun- 
try, continue  to  write  to  me  till  advised  to  the  contrary. 
Having  but  an  hour's  notice  of  this  opportunity,  I  can  only 
send  a  little  book  for  Gampillus.  By  Vanderlyn,  who  will 
go  out  in  the  spring,  you  will  receive  the  dictionaries  and 
some  other  books.  My  health  is  always  the  same,  though 
this  (Paris)  is  the  most  detestable  of  all  the  climates  I  have 
witnessed.  Their  writers  boast  of  forty  fine  days  in  the 
year;  but  during  the  twelve  months  which,  against  my  will, 
I  have  passed  here,  there  have  not  been  twenty. 

Your  last  letter  is  still  that  of  August,  1 809,  received  at 
Gottenburg.  Mr.  Gahn  informs  me  that  he  has  forwarded 

VOL.  II.  8 


120  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

others,  but  they  have  never  reached  me.  If  you  wish  that 
I  should  hear  from  you  (pardon  that  if),  you  must  write 
three  or  four  copies  of  your  letters  ;  transmit  them  to  Gahn, 
and  direct  him  to  forward  them  by  different  conveyances. 
I  pray  you  to  begin  your  history  from  August,  1809 

A.  BURR. 

JOURNAL. 

Paris,  January  1,  1811.  At  ten  toFonzi's  ;  busy,  and  in- 
disposed to  be  more  so,  being  holyday.  To  Valkenaer's. 
He  asked  me  to  take  my  Newyear's  dinner  with  him  and 
Albertine.  Agreed.  To  Duke  d'Alberg's,  where  left  a  card. 
To  Dr.  Swediaur's  half  an  hour.  Then  a  tour  round  by  Rue 
St.  Denis.  Saw  near  St.  Denis  L.  a  great  crowd,  and  sol- 
diers with  bayonets  keeping  order.  Joined  the  mass  to  see 
what  was  going  on.  It  is  a  famous  manufactory  of  sugar- 
plums and  the  like  ;  and  for  fear  people,  in  their  zeal  to  buy, 
should  squeeze  each  other  to  death,  soldiers  were  sent  by 
the  police.  They  let  in  only  four  or  five  at  a  time.  When 
my  turn  came  I  got  in.  The  variety  of  ornaments,  &c.,  is 
really  curious.  I  bought  a  box  in  imitation  of  a  pear,  filled 
with  sugarplums,  for  twenty  sous,  and  a  little  cornucopia  of 
painted  paper,  covered  with  silk  and  tied  with  riband,  full 
also  of  sugarplums,  for  fifteen  sous.  Note. — The  sugar- 
plums are  a  little  sugared  on  the  surface ;  the  rest  is  flour. 

Home ;  changed  my  dress,  and  off  to  Valkenaer's.  We 
were,  as  usual,  four  at  table.  After  dinner  came  in  Mr.  B. 
I  came  off  at  eight.  Called  a  few  minutes  on  Griswold, 
who  persists  in  going  to  Bourdeaux  on  the  5th.  Home.  Gave 
the  cornucopia?,  &c.,  to  Jul.  Certainly  no  person  in  Paris 
deserves  from  me  as  much  as  does  Jul.  Drank  at  Valke- 
naer's some  hermitage,  which  appeared  to  me  to  be  very  bad, 
and  to  that  I  ascribe  that  I  am  sick  and  stupid,  for  I  dined 
and  drank  temperately.  Have  been  taking  some  good  wine, 
and  shall  go  soon  to  bed. 

Gave  my  pear  to  Albertine.     Jul.  is  the  only  person  whc 


OF    AARON    BURR.  121 

has  been  to  wish  me  a  happy  Newyear.  Tant  mieux.  I 
am  dispensed  visiting. 

January  2.  I  had  all  night  a  sort  of  dull  headache,  and 
some  medicine  I  took  has  sickened  me  all  day.  At  ten 
came  the  servant  of  Mrs.  Robertson,  with  a  note  of  compli- 
ments dated  yesterday,  and  an  invitation  to  dine  yesterday 
or  to-day.  Jul.  denied  me  to  the  servant,  and  I  sent  a  reply 
by  a  messenger  (15  sous)  that  I  was  engaged  to-day.  I 
think  I  will  not  dine  any  more  with  her.  Voila.  Six  weeks 
she  has  been  pouting  about  that  trifling  incident  at  dinner. 
Did  not  stir  out  of  my  room  till  seven,  when  my  great  soli- 
citude to  hear  from  Amsterdam  before  Griswold  goes  in- 
duced me  to  call  on  Valkenaer.  He  had  company,  and  it 
was  an  hour  before  I  could  speak  with  him.  He  has  heard 
nothing.  To  Griswold's ;  he  was  out. 

Dined  on  barley-water  sweetened,  and  supped  on  a  mess 
of  vermicelli  which  Jul.  made.  These  two  days  past  would 
have  been  called  very  cold  at  New- York.  There  has  been 
high  wind  and  constant  spitting  of  snow.  My  little  fireplace 
keeps  my  room  comfortable  with  a  small  fire.  With  the 
former  immense  oven  I  must  have  perished.  For  this  com- 
fort I  am  indebted  to  Jul.,  as  it  was  her  influence  which  in- 
duced the  old  lady  to  pay  for  it  the  fifteen  francs. 

3.  Slept  sound  till  five.  Waked,  and  found  I  had  slept 
enough.  Thought  of  getting  up;  but,  calculating  all  it 
would  cost  to  get  light  and  fire,  and  being  very  comfortable 
where  I  was,  concluded  to  lay  quiet.  Got  asleep  at  seven, 
and  at  nine  was  waked  by  messenger  and  note  from  Mrs. 
Fenwick,  commanding  me  to  dine  at  five  to-day.  A  bitter 
cold  morning.  All  the  fire  I  could  make  would  not  thaw 
the  ice  from  the  panes  of  my  window. 

Sor.  at  one.  Left  reply  at  Fenwick's.  To  Vanderlyn's. 
He  was  occupied.  Took  a  tour  round  by  St.  Denis.  Bought 
a  pair  of  andirons  for  12  sous.  Along  the  quai  from  St. 
Martin  to  St.  Denis  is  a  row  of  stalls  with  ironmongery. 
All  sorts  of  trash  ;  old  nails,  pieces  of  hoops,  shreds  of  every- 


122  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

thing.  At  the  first  I  asked  the  price  of  chevrettes,  24  sous  , 
at  the  next,  40  sous;  the  next,  16  sous;  the  next,  12  sous; 
being  precisely  the  same  articles.  If  you  are  taken  for  a 
foreigner,  double  and  triple  is  asked  at  once,  and  it  is  ex- 
pected that  you  will  marchander.  It  is  the  same  in  the  great 
stores  as  in  those  huts.  Ccmbien  pour  ca?  Oh  c'est  trop ; 
eh,  combien  vous  voulez  dormer?  Six  francs.  Oh,  non 
c'est  impossible  mais  pour  vous  arranger  prenez  le  eight. 
Non ;  and  you  go  off.  Immediately  you  are  called  back, 
and  your  six  francs  are  taken.  A  Frenchman  who  under- 
stood the  art  of  higgling  would  have  been  asked  five,  and 
would  have  got  it  for  three.  At  many  shops  they  keep  boys 
to  run  after  the  customers,  and  bring  them  back  to  take  the 
thing  at  their  best  offer.  These  boys  have  got  the  name  of 
courvits,  i.  e.,  "  cours  vile ;"  but  what  I  have  related  in  ten 
lines  would,  if  faithfully  detailed,  fill  a  sheet  of  paper,  if 
both  parties  were  French.  You  know  how  eloquent  they 
are. 

Passing  the  bonbon  shops,  there  was  neither  crowd  nor 
sentinels.  Home  at  four,  and  at  five  to  Fenwick's.  where 
till  half  past  seven.  Fenwick  has  a  great  many  beautiful 
etrennes.  On  my  way  home  called  at  Griswold's.  He  does 
not  go  so  soon  as  he  proposed.  By  the  villany  of  his  broker, 
he  is  like  to  be  involved  in  a  lawsuit  for  a  large  sum.  God 
send  him  a  good  deliverance.  Home,  made  a  good  fire,  and 
actually  have  thawed  off  the  ice.  Jul.  would  make  me  sup 
on  vermicelli,  which  she  cooked  very  nice,  and  have  agreed 
by  the  same  advice  to  lay  abed  to-morrow  till  nine,  in  com- 
plaisance to  the  cold.  Now  one  o'clock,  madam. 

4.  Lay  till  ten,  being  so  cold  Gamp,  was  afraid.  After 
deliberating  two  hours  whether  I  should  call  on  Mrs.  Rob- 
ertson, sor.  at  two  to  Valkenaer's ;  found  him,  as  usual,  in 

bed,  but   mending.      Found  there  Mr. ,  just  arrived 

from  Amsterdam.  A  fine,  frank,  open,  decided  face.  He 
served  in  the  United  States  during  the  revolutionary  war,  in 
Pulaski's  corps.  Had  an  only  daughter,  whom  he  educated 


OF    AARON    BURR.  123 

in  a  superior  style.  She  died  at  twenty.  Albertine  came 
in  from  a  walk,  and  looked  very  charming.  Gave  up  my 
visit  to  Mrs.  Robertson's,  and  walked  round  by  St.  Denis, 
through  Palais  Royal,  to  Helvetius,  and  thence  home.  On 
the  way,  bought  etrennes  for  the  children  of  Madame  P.,  40 
sous  ;  another  pair  of  chevrettes,  36  sous.  Home,  and  dined 
on  vermicelli  an  lait;  very  good. 

The  day  has  been  cold,  tempestuous ;  a  little  snow  fall- 
ing. Now,  at  twelve,  the  wind  still  higher  and  snowing 
faster.  From  what  quarter  the  gale  comes,  I  don't  know  ; 
but  at  intervals  of  about  one  or  two  minutes,  it  blows  di- 
rectly down  my  chimney,  and  with  such  force  as  to  carry 
ashes  and  coals  over  the  whole  floor.  I  have  been  since 
four  o'clock  in  purgatory,  for  the  evil  is  remediless  while 
the  gale  stands  at  the  same  point  and  with  the  same  force. 
After  various  experiments  how  to  weather  the  gale,  I  at 
length  discovered  that  I  could  exist  by  lying  flat  on  the  floor ; 
for  this  purpose  I  laid  a  blanket ;  and  reposing  on  my  elbows, 
with  a  candle  at  my  side,  on  the  floor,  have  been  reading 
L'Espion  Anglois,  translated  from  the  English  ;  extremely 
well  written,  and,  thus  prostrate,  I  have  the  honour  to  write 
you  this.  When  I  got  up  just  now  for  pen  and  ink,  I  found 
myself  almost  buried  in  ashes  and  cinders.  You  would 
have  thought  I  had  laid  a  month  at  the  foot  of  Mount  Vesu- 
vius. 

Received  this  morning  a  note  from  the  Duke  d'Alberg, 
enclosing  a  sealed  letter  to  the  prefet.  Dit  1'introduction. 

5.  There  was  no  alternative  last  night  but  to  keep  my 
prostrate  position  till  the  wind  changed  or  abated,  or  to  ex- 
tinguish the  fire,  for  to  go  to  bed  was  to  hazard  suffocation, 
the  bed  being  very  high.  At  two  there  was  a  change.  The 
vertical  gusts  ceased,  and  at  half  past  two  couche.  Rose  at 
ten.  Valkenaer's  servant  came  at  that  moment  to  say  that 
the  papers  from  Amsterdam  had  arrived.  At  one  went  to 
his  house.  We  opened  the  parcel,  from  which  I  selected  a 
number,  brought  them  home,  and,  before  I  began  to  read 


1C  4  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

them,  took  a  walk  to  Paschaud's,  to  pay  Madame  Pelouse 
thirty  francs.  Then  home.  Very  cold,  windy,  and  snow- 
ing. All  this  snowing,  for  four  or  five  days,  has  made  about 
three  inches.  On  my  way  home,  bought  a  thermometer, 
four  francs,  and  fifty  segars,  four  francs ;  paid  commissionaire 
for  message  fifteen  sous.  Segars  cost  me  as  much  as  sugar, 
coffee,  tea,  and  bread.  I  must  quit  them,  or  find  a  cheaper 
substitute. 

Dinner  on  bouillon  gras,  with  bread,  butter,  honey,  and 
baked  apples  for  dessert.  Have  got  satiated  with  Roussillon, 
and  bought  to-day  a  bottle  of  common  twelve  sous  wine. 
Yanderhrn  came  in  at  eight  this  evening  and  sal  an  hour. 
Except  this  interruption,  have  been  reading  the  Holland 
Company  papers  the  whole  evening.  With  all  the  fire  I  can 
make,  I  cannot  bring  the  temperature  of  my  room  above 
fifty-one  of  Fahrenheit.  In  the  cabinet  a  loti  it  sinks  down 
to  twenty-two,  which  is  cold  weather,  madam. 

6.  My  thermometer,  put  out  doors,  stood  at  twenty-one 
at  ten  o'clock.  In  my  chamber  at  forty-six.  At  twelve  to 
Yalkenaer**.  He  read  to  me  in  French  some  of  the  Dutch 
papers  regarding  the  Holland  Company  affair.  I  give  him 
much  trouble,  and  sometimes  perceive  that  I  weary  him. 
Was  there  two  hours.  He  in  bed.  Thence  to  Mrs.  Rob- 
ertson's. Found  her  very  elegantly  dressed,  and  said  some 
civil  things  thereon  ;  and  all  went  very  smooth.  Asked  me 
to  stay  and  dine.  Said  I  was  engaged ;  which  was  a  lie. 
Asked  me  for  to-morrow,  and  proposed  to  send  her  carriage. 
Said  I  was  engaged,  which  was  another.  Finally,  seeing 
there  was  no  way  but  to  quarrel  or  to  dine,  and  as  we  had 
been  in  great  good-humour,  I  agreed  for  Tuesday  It  was 
near  five  when  I  got  home.  By  way  of  diet,  dined  on  rice 
and  milk,  and  have  drank  nothing  but  water  all  day.  Since 
Wednesday  last  I  have  a  very  bad  cold.  I,  who  in  Amer- 
ica never  took  cold. 

At  seven  to  Valkenaer*s.  An  hour  reading  more  Dutch 
papers,  and  he  has  promised  to  translate  for  me  a  large, 


or  Ajauam  BOUL.  ;  25 

dose-written  sheet.  On  my  way  home,  gave  twenty  son 
to  a  pair  of  pretty  beggars.  AJD  diinkmg  vinegar  and  wa- 
ter, sweetened  with  honej.  A  few  flakes  of  snow  felting 
all  day. 

7.  Wrote  a  note  to  Fenwiek,  and  another  to  Yalkenaer. 
Griswold  came  in  and  sat  aa  hour.    Rochette's  boy  wflh  an 
account  of  ninety-! our  francs.     Paid  sury-Jbur,  and  mean  to 
return  the  I*,  thirty  -Tancs.     He  sent  me  a  thctntomcter  at 
m  franca,  which  I  inad  ordered  long  ago,  and  which  I  thought 
he  had  forgotten.    W am  I  don  t  want  it  he  sends  it.    flat 
which  I  bought  for  four  francs  is  better.    So  I  am  now  aimed 
with  two  thermometers.     At  two  to  Valkenaer**.     He  was 
op  and  Albertine  there.    I  thought  a  tittle  chiBSed.    He  was 
busy  translating  for  me.     To  Yome/s.     Out.     Left  the 
note  which  is  to  ask  some  copies  of  DupoTs  Zodiac  of 
Egypt,  which  ML  Volney  has  printed  for  his  own  use- 
Home. 

Took  a  map  of  Holland  Company  lands,  which  left  at  Grit- 
wold's  to  be  copied.  To  Pasehand's,  to  ask  Mr.  Pdouse  to 
get  roe,  through  the  means  of  his  priest,  Marion,  a  Dutch 
translator.  Pekmse  urged  me  to  stay  to  dinner,  which  re- 
fused. Home.  Dinner  on  bomHon  gras.  Drank  oraly  wa- 
ter. The  cold  much  better.  Weather,  as  yesterday,  doody; 
thick  sky  eternally,  and  cold  abont  the  same.  How  careful 
Gamp,  has  grown.  Lost  to-day  a  Napoleon  oat  of  his  pocket. 

8.  Rose  at  seven,  and  had  all  done  ready  for  sorb  at  nine. 
A  dark,  grim  day.     Thermometer  at  twenty-one.     Had 
hailed  in  the  night. 

At  eleven  to  Yalkeuaer*s,  where  two  hoars  talking  of  Hol- 
land Company  and  other  matters.  His  friend  Lenneraon 
came  in.  I  like  him  muc^  as  he  talks  perfectly  weH  English, 
and  has  been  many  years  in  the  United  Stales,  a  captain  in  our 
army;  stayed  aH  two,  then  to  Paschand"s,  where  Mr.  PeJonse 
and  sa  filSe  asked  me  to  dine.  Was  engaged.  At  four  the 
Torture  of  Madame  Robertson  called,  and  I  went  thither,  ta- 
kmg  up  Madame  M.  in  the  way.  We  and  Adamson  were,  as 


126  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

usual,  the  party.  Off  at  nine.  Her  voiture  sat  me  down. 
Mrs.  Robertson  still  doubting,  and  her  lover  received  as 
usual. 

My  thermometer  is  up  to  fifty-five,  having  a  very  hot  fire. 
I  suffered  at  Mrs.  Robertson's.  Her  parlour  was  at  thirty- 
five,  though  a  great  fire,  but  in  a  chimney  on  French  prin- 
ciples— the  principles  of  stupidity.  I  find  no  room  so  com- 
fortable as  my  own.  Valkenaer's  are  pretty  well ;  but  I 
dine  abroad  with  great  reluctance  in  cold  weather ;  indeed, 
in  any  weather.  I  dine  more  to  my  satisfaction,  and  cheaper, 

at  home.     Poor  Portalis  is  exiled,  and  the in  prison, 

and  both  very  deservedly.  If  they  had  been  both  burned 
it  would  not  have  been  amiss. 

9.  Jul.  called  me  at  eight.     Told  her  I  had  headache  and 
must  repose.     In  half  an  hour  she  came  back  with  a  hot 
bouillon  gras.     Under  the  torment  of  the  pain,  I  had  to  con- 
test this  bouillon  gras  for  half  an  hour  before  1  could  get 
rid  of  it  and  her.     At  ten,  message  from  Fenwick  to  dine  to- 
day.    Hoping  to  be  well  before  the  hour  of  dinner,  agreed. 
Got  up  at  twelve.     Swallowed  the  juice  of  four  sour  oranges. 
At  two,  some  hot  coffee  blanc,  and  at  half  past  four  to  Fen- 
wick's.     After  dinner,  a  promenade  en  cav.     To  Paschaud's 
a  few  minutes,  and  then  home. 

Having  eaten  no  dinner,  made  me  a  mess  of  stewed  prunes, 
with  wine  and  sugar.  Couche  at  one,  as  I  propose,  being 
now  three  quarters  past  twelve.  Mr.  Griswold  came  in  this 
afternoon  at  two,  and  sat  an  hour.  He  has  good  news  from 
Lee,  and  is  in  better  nerves.  The  weather  has  moderated, 
and  it  is  now  thawing ;  but  a  dark,  gloomy  day,  with  occa- 
sionally some  hail,  &c. 

10.  Yesterday  Mons.  le  Comte  de  Volney  answered  my 
note,  and  sent  me  two  copies  of  the  Zodiac  of  Egypt,  an 
instructive  and  curious  work.     I  passed  last  evening  in  read- 
ing it. 

My  tailor  came  in  with  an  account  of  twenty-five  francs. 
Gave  him  some  trifling  jobs  more  to  add  to  the  amount.  The 


OF    AARON    BURR.  127 

shoemaker,  too,  with  a  pair  of  new  boots  ;  ordered  him  to 
make  claques  for  them.  At  twelve  to  Mr.  Griswold's,  and 
we  talked  of  Holland  Company.  He  is  totally  and  obsti- 
nately off,  though  the  thing  is  better  by  forty  per  cent,  than 
was  represented  when  he  first  agreed  to  go  deep  into  it. 
This  is  a  dilemma,  for  my  little  funds  are  there  committed  ! 
To  Valkenaer's,  where  met  Lennerson  and  Albertine.  En 
gaged  to  dine  with  them  to-morrow.  Home.  Then  to  Pas 

o   o 

chaud's  to  see  for  a  Dutch  interpreter.  Learned  nothing. 
Went  on  to  Vanderlyn's  to  see  if  he  could  help  me  in  this, 
being  his  native  language.  Strange  to  tell,  he  could  not  read 
it.  Dined  with  him.  After  dinner,  round  by  Griswold's. 
He  is  still  more  perverse  than  before.  IJome  at  eight.  The 
weather  as  yesterday. 

11.  Have  lost  the  sheet  on  which  I  wrote  yesterday.  Not 
lost,  but  hidden  among  the  mass  of  heterogeneous  matter  on 
my  immense  table.  I  therefore  take  a  new  sheet.  Perhaps 
the  old  one  is  full.  After  writing  to  you  last  night,  wrote  a 
note  to  Volney,  thanking  him  for  the  Zodiac  ;  andtanother  to 
F.  with  the  "  Sopha." 

At  one  this  morning  to  hunt  a  Mr.  Vilette,  who  is  an- 
nounced as  interpreter  of  low  Dutch.  Found  him,  and  asked 
how  much  for  three  pages  which  I  showed  him.  Could  not, 
tell.  I  pressed  the  question,  knowing  what  might  be  ex- 
pected if  no  bargain  were  made.  After  repelling  it  several 
times,  he  at  length  said,  not  less  than  twenty-five  francs, 
which  is  at  least  four  times  the  worth  of  the  work.  No 
doubt  it  would  have  been  fifty  if  nothing  had  been  said. 
Took  back  my  paper  and  came  off.  To  Denon's.  Out. 
Home. 

At  twelve  took  hack  to  escort  Lefitte  (M.  P.)  to  the  Lou- 
vre. Called  on  Madame  Gente,  or  Gentille,  to  take  her  up. 
She  was  not  ready.  So  we  went  without  her.  Bought  an- 
other (the  third)  catalogue,  not  being  able  to  find  the  two 
former.  One  of  the  benefits  of  order  and  method.  Left 
Lefitte  a  few  minutes  while  I  went  and  fetched  Madame  la 


128  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

Mere.  Stayed  till  three,  and  then  home ;  chilled  to  the 
bone,  having  been  three  hours  on  that  marble  pavement. 

At  half  past  four  to  Valkenaer's,  where  Lennerson,  Al- 
bertine,  and  Louis.  Albertine  never  looked  so  beautiful. 
Stayed  till  eight ;  then  to  Griswold's,  where  till  nine.  The 
thermometer  has  been  all  day  at  33  and  above.  We  saw 
the  sun  dimly  for  an  hour  or  two.  Rain  in  the  afternoon  and 
evening.  It  is  said  that  the  Duchy  of  Oldenburg  is  united 
to  the  French  empire. 

12.  At  ten  to  Madame  R.'s.  Went  round  by  F.'s  to  leave 
the  sofa  and  note.  Mrs.  Robertson,  as  usual,  kept  me  naif 
an  hour  before  she  appeared.  Stayed  an  hour.  Thence  to 
Courcier's  on  the  quai ;  but,  thinking  of  other  things  as  I 
walked,  got  to  the  Pantheon  without  thinking  whither  I  was 
going.  I  then  stood  some  minutes  to  discover  who  I  was. 
In  what  country  I  was.  What  business  I  had  there.  For 
what  I  came  abroad.  And  where  I  intended  to  go.  After 
propounding  these  questions,  found  my  way  to  Courcier's 
libraire,  and  bought  Dupui's  Zodiac  for  five  francs  ten  sous. 
Then  to  Madame  Pelouse's  (she  has  moved,  I  tell  you  again, 
to  Mr.  Paschauo"s).  Thence  to  Dr.  Swediaur's,  where  left 
the  Zodiac  with  my  card.  Did  not  go  in  nor  ask  for  him, 
for  it  is  nearly  six  months  since  he  has  shown  me  any  civility. 
ToBarrois,  libraire,  where  bought  a  Dutch  (Holland)  gram- 
mar, three  francs  ten  sous,  and  Goldsmith's  Poems  in  Eng- 
lish, one  franc  ten  sous.  On  the  quai  bought  map  of  France, 
four  francs.  What  a  mass  of  expense. 

Home.  Jul.  had  by  my  fire  an  excellent  bouillon  gras ; 
a  bottle  of  cider  on  my  table,  and  I  boiled  some  potatoes, 
which,  with  bread,  butter,  and  cheese,  I  dined  better  than  his 
majesty.  Found,  on  coming  home,  Mr.  Adamson's  card,  and 
a  packet  from  Valkenaer,  containing  some  very  interesting 
information  respecting  Holland  Company.  I  am  resolved 
to  pursue  that  business,  if  I  can  persuade  any  human  being 
to  support  me.  At  seven  o'clock  to  Valkenaer's ;  stayed 
but  half  an  hour,  being  engaged  to  meet  Vanderlyn  and  his 


OF    AARON    BURR.  129 

young  Dutch  friend,  who  is  to  help  me  to  read  some  Dutch 
papers  at  eight.  They  came  punctually  at  eight,  and  stayed 
three  hours.  We  read  our  Dutch  papers,  ate  apples,  and 
drank  cider  and  metheglin  (hydroniel),  of  which  I  bought 
a  bottle  about  six  weeks  ago.  I  have  had  no  wine  this  fort- 
night, and  doubt  whether  I  will  buy  any  more. 

The  thermometer  has  been  above  freezing  all  day.  The 
sun  visible  in  the  forenoon,  but  misty,  cloudy,  windy.  In 
the  afternoon  rain.  Vanderlyn  brought  me  message  from 
Fonzi  to  call  at  three  for  business,  and  to  dine  at  five. 

13.  At  eleven  to  Denon's.  He  was  at  breakfast,  but 
came  out  and  invited  me  to  partake,  which  declined.  For 
the  first  time  he  was  alone.  Generally,  at  the  same  hour, 
he  has  a  levee  of  from  ten  to  twenty.  He  engaged  to  speak 
to  Bassano  about  me,  and  I  am  sure  he  will  do  it.  To  Ma- 
dame Pelouse's  a  few  minutes,  and  then  to  Crede's,  where  I 
have  not  been  this  fortnight,  though  he  has  called  often. 
Stayed  an  hour,  and  engaged  to  receive  him  at  my  room  at 
half  past  two.  On  the  way  home  stopped  at  a  table  de  vente 
public,  where  was  an  exposition  of  pictures,  but  saw  nothing 
which  would  please  you.  Thence  to  Valkenaer's.  He  was 
very  busy  writing  to  Berlin,  and  offered  to  forward  to  Nie- 
buhr,  who  is  his  friend  and  correspondent,  a  copy  of  Dupui's 
Zodiac.  Home.  Wrote  him  a  note  and  sent  the  Zodiac. 
Then  came  in  Crede ;  dismissed  him,  engaging  to  call  on 
him  at  nine  this  evening. 

To  Fonzi's  for  an  hour.  Home  an  hour,  and  then  to 
Fonzi's  to  dine.  He  is  a  great  epicure.  We  had  a  minced 
pie  a  1'Americaine.  After  dinner  came  in  Madame  Correa, 
the  famous  singeress,  Madame  Grely  of  the  same  theatre, 
and  two  gentlemen.  I  came  off  at  eight,  and  to  Crede's  at 
nine,  and  there  till  half  past  ten.  We  are  talking  about 
Holland  Company  affairs,  and  now,  at  one,  I  have  the  hon- 
our to  relate  to  you  these  wonderful  and  important  events. 

Drizzling  rain,  wind,  mist.  Thermometer  sixty.  I  sup- 
pose our  winter  is  done. 


130  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

14.  Got  my  breakfast,  and  was  at  Fonzi's  at  nine.     Gau- 
doin  worked  for  me  about  two  hours.     Then  had  an  engage- 
ment to  call  on  Mr. ,  a  painter  of  Ghent,  and  a  friend 

of  Vanderlyn.     Called  and  found  him.     He  leaves  town  on 
Wednesday,  which  mars  my  project ;  for  I  meant  to  have 
made  him  run  about  and  help  me  to  find  some  pretty  pic- 
tures for  you.     Thence  to  Gris wold's,  who  kept  me  longer 
than  I  intended,  having  an  engagement  to  M.  Des.  to  break- 
fast.    To  Valkenaer's.     There  were  Albertine  and  Another 
dame  ;  so  could  say  nothing  of  business,  and  came  off  home. 
Expected  to  find  a  summons  from  Fenwick,  but  nothing. 
My  last  note  was  a  little  gay,  and  perhaps  has  been  taken 
amiss. 

Jul.  had  provided  me  a  bouillon  gras,  which  took  for  din- 
ner, and  at  six  to  Crede's,  where  two  hours.  Home  at  nine. 
Stewed  prunes,  with  vinegar  and  sugar  for  supper.  Jul. 
employed  me  an  hour  and  more  this  evening  to  write  a  letter 
for  her. 

15.  At  nine  to  Fonzi's  without  breakfast,  having  slept  till 
eight.     Sent  to  a  coffee-house,  and  for  eighteen  sous  got  a 
dish  of  coffee,  with  sugar,  milk,  and   bread.     Hernandez 
and  Gaudoin  worked  faithfully  for  me  till  two.     Then  out 
for  an  hour,  to  make  way  for  a  chev.     Called  on  Hahn, 
having  engaged  to  walk  with  him  to  Vanderlyn's  at  this  hour. 
Put  off  that  walk.     Madame,  the  business  is  to  show  him 
your  portrait,  and  to  know  for  how  much  I  can  have  it  en- 
amelled on  a  watch.     Also  that  of  Gamp.,  to  enamel  on 
another  watch,  to  replace  the  lost  PEpine.     Home  for  half 
an  hour,  and  then  to  Fonzi's,  whence  Hernandez  and  Gau- 
doin worked  another  hour  for  me.     I  think  we  shall  make 
a  good  jobb.     I  put  two  />'s  for  fear  you  should  think  I  was 
talking  of  the  old  Jewish  curser.     Home  at  half  past  four. 
Crede  came  in  and  sat  an  hour  on  Holland  Company  affairs. 
He  is  quite  disposed  to  embark.     Engaged  to  call  on  him 
to-morrow  evening. 

Fonzi  urged  me  to  go  with  him  and  madame  to  pass  the 


OF    AARON    BURR.  131 

evening  with  Correa,  which  I  should  have  liked  well  enough, 
but  had  made  a  little  engagement  in  this  evening.  After 
Crede  went,  ate  my  potatoes,  and  at  seven  to  Valkenaer's. 
All  out.  To-day,  warm  rain,  mist,  and  high  wind. 

16.  At  nine  to  Fonzi's,  and  there  till  three.     Ran  off  half 
an  hour  to  see  Valkenaer,  whom  found  up.     He  has  ordered 
on  from  Amsterdam  twenty-five  shares  on  his  own  credit, 
which  is  very  good  of  him.     Home  at  three,  and  at  five  to 
Fenvvick's  to  dine.     There  till  seven.     Escorted  F.  to  the 
theatre  Francois.     Then  to  Rue  de  bons  Enfans,  to  do  a 
commission  for  her.     Then  to  Crede's.     He  has  agreed  to 
associate"  with  me  in  the  Holland  Company  affair.     To  ad- 
vance a  certain  sum,  and  to  divide  the  profits.     By  way  of 
commencement,  he  takes  ten  of  my  shares,  at  a  rate  which 
gives  me  a  profit  of  three  or  four  hundred  dollars.     Now,  if 
I  can  get  a  passport  to  Bremen  and  Amsterdam,  I  will  send 
you  a  million  of  francs  within  six  months  ;  but  one  half  of  it 
must  be  laid  out  in  pretty  things.    Oh  !  what  beautiful  things 
I  will  send  you.     Gampillus,  too,  shall  have  a  beautiful  little 
watch,  and  at  least  fifty  trumpets  of  different  sorts  and  sizes. 
Home  at  ten,  and  have  been  casting  up  my  millions  and 
spending  it.     Lord,  how  many  people  I  have  made  happy ! 

After  I  had  written  you  last  night,  came  in  my  inmate 
Pichard,  at  half  past  twelve,  with  a  note  which  he  had  re- 
ceived in  the  morning.  It  was  an  invitation  from  Fenwick 
for  yesterday  to  dine.  I  was  vexed  not  a  little  to  think  that 
she  should  have  waited  dinner  for  me.  No  message  from 
me,  and,  finally,  that  we  should  each  dine  alone.  Another 
invitation  for  this  day  indemnified  us,  as  far  as  indemnifica- 
tion was  practicable. 

17.  At  half  past  nine   to  Fonzi's,  and  there  till   three. 
Crede  called  on  me  there,  and  engaged  me  to  dine  with  him 
to-day.     Home  at  three,  and  to  Crede's  at  five.     He  has 
nine  children ;  seven  of  them  at  table,  and  the  other  two — 

18.  To  Gris wold's.     He  agrees  to  take  ten  more  shares 
at  the   same  rate.     Voila,  another  four  hundred   dollars. 


132  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

Back  to  Fonzi's.  Hernandez  had  arrived,  and  we  did  a  lit- 
tle. Fonzi  had  been  disturbed  of  his  rest  by  the  illness  of 
his  wife,  and  did  not  get  up  till  twelve.  At  two  we  were 
interrupted,  and  I  took  the  opportunity  to  run  off  to  Vander- 
lyn's,  about  twb  miles,  and  then  back.  Raining  hard  all 
day  and  a  tempest  of  wind.  Stayed  at  Fonzi's  till  half  past 
four.  Home.  Jul.  had  provided  me  fish  (a  sole),  to  which 
I  added  potatoes,  and  made  a  sumptuous  dinner.  Drank 
cider. 

This  evening  at  eight  to  Griswold's,  to  get  his  secretary 
to  copy  some  of  Jul.'s  letters.  G.  not  at  home.  Left  note 
with  the  letters.  My  friend  Crede  is  not  taciturn,  and  will, 
I  fear,  ruin  my  speculation  before  I  begin.  Expended  three 
francs  in  ridiculous  research  about  the  watch. 

19.  Various  interruptions  prevented  me  from  getting  to 
Fonzi's  till  half  past  ten.  We  were  busy  till  one,  when  an 
interruption.  Home.  Dressed  and  took  cabriole  to  deliver 
the  Duke  d'Alberg's  letter  to  Count  Pasquier,  the  prefet. 
He  was  out.  Left  the  letter  and  a  note  endorsed,  demand- 
ing audience.  Thence  to  Vanderlyn's,  and  thence  we  came 
together  to  Pelouse's.  All  out.  To  Fenwick's  to  dine, 
Paid  cabriole  hire,  three  francs  for  two  hours.  After  dinner 
there  came  in  to  Madame  Fenwick's  an  elderly  man,  the 
associate  and  relation  of  the  author  of  the  treatise  mentioned 
some  weeks  ago,  on  the  movement  of  waves,  and  we  had 
half  an  hour's  talk  about  waves.  At  half  past  seven,  Fen- 
wick  and  I,  in  her  carriage,  to  make  a  visit.  Parted  at  the 
door.  I  to  see  Vanderlyn,  who  walked  home  with  me  and 
sat  an  hour.  Apples  and  cider.  Esopus  fare. 

On  coming  home  found  a  note  from  the  Comte  Pasquier, 
saying  that  "  he  will  have  the  honour  to  receive  me  on 
Monday  at  noon."  Mr.  Griswold  has  been  twice  to  see  me 
to-day,  and  seems  to  take  an  interest  in  my  success.  He 
will  take  the  fifteen  instead  of  ten  shares ;  so  that  I  shall 
begin  the  world  with  a  capital  of  about  one  thousand  dollars. 
Rain,  mist,  chilly  weather,  and  wind. 


OF    AARON    BURR.  133 

20.  At  half  past  nine  to  Harm's,  whom  1  took  with  me  to 
Vanderlyn's  to  look  at  your  picture,  and  estimate  the  ex- 
pense of  an  enamelled  copy  in  miniature,  to   be  put  on  a 
watch  which  I  design  for  Gamp,  so  soon  as  I  get  possession 
of  my  fortune.     Then  to  Fonzi's,  where  till  two.     To  Gris- 
wold's  an  hour.     He  rises  in  his  interest  for  Gamp.    Home. 
Found  that  Crede  had  called  with  three  of  his  sons,  and  Mr. 
Lewis  on  behalf  of  Valkenaer.     Went  immediately  to  Val- 
kenaer  to  see  what  he  wanted.     He  wanted  only  to  get  back 
the  papers  about  Holland  Company  which  he  had  lent  me. 
Home.      Dinner  on  the  residue  of  a  bouillon  which  Jul. 
had  brought  in  three  days  ago.     At  six  to  Crede's  ;  nothing 
new.     To  Pelouse's  half  an  hour,  and  then  home. 

21.  Rather  an   unlucky  day;   perhaps  because  the  sun 
shone,  though  dimly,  nearly  all  day ;  and  there  has  been  no 
rain,  though  this   evening   thick,  cloudy,   and    threatening 
rain.     At  ten  to  Fonzi's,  to  get  rid  of  a  grievance  which 
tormented  me  greatly.     He  remedied  the  evil  in  one  minute. 
Home,  and  dressed  for  my  visit  to  the  prefet.     At  twelve  I 
was  there,  and  was  received,  and  told  my  story,  concluding 
with  demand  of  passport  for  Amsterdam  and  Bremen.     He 
replied,  rather  dryly,  that  he  could  do  nothing  in  it,  and  that 
I  must  apply  to  the  Due  de  Rovigo.     Thence  to  D'Alberg's. 
To  B.,  who  had   promised,  in  case  other  means  failed,  to 
procure  my  passport.     Told  him  what  had  passed.     He  had 
company,  and  begged  that  I  would  call  in  the  evening,  and 
that  we  would  then  frame  a  proper  note  to  the  Duke  Rovigo, 
with  which  he  would  do  the  rest.     Home,  and  found  a  note 
from  Fenwick  to  dine  to-day.     Dined.     A  walk.     Then  I 
went  to  B.     Got  pen,  ink,  and  paper,  and  wrote  the  note  as 
he  advised.     His  friend  was  there,  and,  hearing  the  story, 
said  we  were  all  wrong.     That  I  had  spoiled  the  business 
by  going  to  the  prefet.     That  the  note  to  the  Duke  Rovigo 
would  be  still  worse.     The   matter  was  canvassed,  and  I 
thought  B.  seemed  to  be  convinced  of  his  error.     He  en- 
gaged in  a  trifling  conversation  with  a  lady      I  stayed  half 


134  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

an  hour,  but  could  not  recall  his  attention  to  the  subject ;  so 
I  came  off,  and  it  seemed  as  if  he  was  quite  willing  I  should 
go.  Thus  end  all  my  fine  projects  and  hopes,  and  with 
them  the  fortune,  and  it  is  quite  doubtful  whether  I  get  a 
penny  of  the  eight  hundred  dollars  which  I  thought  I  had 
made.  Home.  Made  me  a  good  fire,  for  it  is  cold. 

22.  At  nine  to  Vanderlyn's  to  breakfast.     He  was  not  yet 
dressed.     At  twelve  to  Mr.  Adamson's,  to  return  his  visit. 
Out.     To  Mrs.  Robertson's,  where  an  hour,  consulting,  &c. 
She  asked    me  to  dine  to-morrow ;  engaged.     Next  day ; 
engaged.     Friday ;  agreed.     Had  a  mind  to  call  on  Duke 
d'Alberg,  but  gave  that  up,  not  having  made  my  toilet.     To 
Fonzi's,  where   nearly  finished    everything.      It  is  nearly 
worth  the  twelve  months  I  have  been  detained  here  to  have 
got  so  well  dentified. 

Home  for  an  hour;  then  to  the  Lion  Hotel,  to  pay  my 
tailor  thirty-five  francs.  Took  the  opportunity  of  visiting 
the  wife  of  the  maitre  d'hotel,  who  has  married  since  T  left 
the  house.  Bien  belle  femme.  Home  and  cooked  my  po- 
tatoes. Jul.  added  a  bit  of  a  sort  of  a  pudding.  Intended  to 
have  written  to  you  and  others  this  evening  by  the  Essex; 
but,  having  bought  on  the  quai  a  book  on  divorce,  have  been 
reading  it  all  the  evening.  The  letter-writing  is  deferred  till 
to-morrow,  which  hazards  the  loss  of  the  opportunity. 

23.  Was   detained  by  the  tailor  and  washerwoman  till 
twelve ;  but  the  first  detention  was  sleeping  till  nine.     To 
Valkenaer's.    He  expects  answer  and  the  "  obligations"  from 
Amsterdam  on  Saturday.     To  Fonzi's,  merely  to  apologize 
for  not  going  this  morning  early.     To  Vanderlyn's,  where 
till  four,  and  then  dined   with  him.     On  the  way,  bought 
cadot  for  Catharine,  five  francs.     John  walked  with  me  to 
the  Pont  Neuf,  and  there  we  separated.     I  came  by  way  of 
St.  Denis  ;  bought  two  pairs  of  gloves  for  thirty  sous  each, 
and  a  cravat  for  five  francs  five  sous.     St.  Denis  is  the  cheap 
street  by  reputation.     But  a  foreigner  is  sure  there,  as  else- 
where in  Paris,  to  be  asked  double  or  triple.     As  to  mar- 


OF    AARON    BURR.  135 

chandering,  it  passes  me.     I  must  either  employ  an  agent 
or  submit  to  be  cheated.     Home  at  seven. 

24.  At  nine  to  Mr.  Bruf' s,  my  translator  of  Dutch.     Not 
at  home.     It  is  the  fourth  time  I  have  called  to  get  a  paper 
which  Valkenaer  lent  me  and  wants  again.     To  Valkenaer's 
to  leave  the  other  papers.     To  Fonzi's,  and  we  worked  half 
an  hour  to  good  effect.     Home  to  get  a  note  which  wrote 
last  evening  to  Fenwick.     To  F.'s  to  leave  said  note,  and 
then  on  to  Vanderlyn's,  where  till  three.     Home.     Just  as  I 
was  going  out  to  dine  with  F.,  Mr.  Bruf  came  in  with  the 
paper,  and  asked  eighteen  francs  for  the  translation,  though 
he  had  agreed  for  six.     I  refused,  and  gave  him  his  transla- 
tion.    We  went  out.     He  followed  me  in  the  street ;  asked 
what  I  would  give.     Eight.     To  which  he  agreed,  and  gave 
me  the  translation.     On  to  F.'s,  and  there  till  seven.     Then 
to  Valkenaer's  to  give  him  his  paper.     Did  not  sit  down. 
Home.     Took  a  bouillon  for  supper,  for  which  had  no  oc- 
casion, to  please  Jul. 

A  cold,  misty,  raw,  windy,  uncomfortable  day.  Just  such 
was  yesterday.  So  thick  a  fog  that  one  could  not  distin- 
guish a  horse  at  fifty  yards. 

25.  A  very  cold  day.     The  gutters  all  frozen  hard.     A 
very  chilly,  northern   wind.     The   sun  visible   almost  the 
whole  day.     Lay  abed  till  nine,  and  did  not  go  out  till  one. 
Then  to  hunt  a  gold   chain    for  Madame  Fonzi.     I  must 
make  a  present  to  the  family.     He  has  done  so  much,  and 
with  such  good-humour,  for  me.     I  have  been  in  five  shops. 
They  ask  from  nine  to  eighteen  francs  the  foot  for  the  finest, 
but  the  eighteen  is  Venetian.     The  Paris  manufacture  may 
be  had  for  twelve  francs  the  foot.     About  five  feet  makes  a 
handsome  length.     Did  not  buy.     Home  at  four.     Dressed, 
and  off  to  Mrs.  Robertson's  to  dine.     About  a  league,  as  I 
have  told  you  half  a  dozen  times,  hussy.     Met  there  Adam- 
son  and  Min.     Came  off  at  eight.     Walked  straight  home. 

26.  Very  cold.     The   little    thermometer,  which   is  out 
doors,  down  to  twenty-seven.     The  other,  which  is  at  my 

VOL.  II.  9 


136  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

bedside,  at  forty-eight ;  and  all  the  fire  I  could  make  this 
morning  did  not  raise  it  above  forty-eight,  but  this  evening 
have  got  it  up  to  fifty-two  ;  a  very  sufferable  temperature. 
Lay  abed  till  ten.  At  twelve  to  Hahn's  a  chain-hunting. 
Think  I  can  do  better  than  he  pretends  to  do  for  me.  To 
Vanderlyn's  to  dine.  Got,  for  the  first  time,  a  taste  of  his 
good  wine,  which  Mons.  Chose  made  him  a  present.  Off 
at  seven.  He  came  with  me  as  far  as  Pont  Neufc  where 
we  spent  half  an  hour  chain-hunting.  Have  become  quite 
a  connoisseur  in  chains.  Have  not  yet  bought.  Paid  six 
francs  ten  sous  for  a  pretty  little  medal  for  Gam.,  to  replace 
some  of  those  of  which  I  have  robbed  him.  Got  safe 
home  at  eight,  only  ten  sous  to  that  same  beggar  in  white. 

27.  Mist,  rain,  chilling  wind  ;   thawing.     After  going  to 
bed  last  night  and  laying  an  hour,  found  I  was  menaced  with 
a  headache ;  got  up,  lighted  candle  and  fire,  took  medicine, 
and  sat  up  till  half  past  four,  drinking  hot  water  and  sugar. 
At  half  past  ten  to  Fenwick's,  where  was  engaged  to  break- 
fast.    At  half  past  eleven  met  Mr.  Barrere  and  a  lawyer 
from  Lyons.     Off  at  two  to  Valkenaer's.     No  news.     To 
Gris wold's,  where  half  an  hour.     Home.     Made  myself  cof 
fee  blanc  for  dinner.     Have  been  reading  St.  Croix  on  the 
ancient  federative  governments. 

28.  At  ten  to  Madame  Fenw?ck"s  to  inquire  about  an  op- 
portunity to  1'Orient  for  you.     Yesterday  I  was  informed  by 
a  gentleman  who  had  offered  to  forward  letters  for  me,  that 
the  messenger  was  instructed  to  take  no  letter  or  parcel  from 
Aaron  Burr,  and  that  every  person  who  handed  him  a  letter 
for  transmission  must  pledge  his  honour  that  it  contained 
nothing  from  Aaron  Burr.     This  is  that  Jonathan  Russell 
whom  you  have  known.     From  Fenwick's  to  Duke  d'Al- 
berg's,  who  is  always  very  good.     Thence  to  Hahn's  again 
about  the  chain. 

Home  to  smoke  a  segar  and  take  bouillon.  To  Vanderlyn's 
till  four ;  dined  with  him,  and  came  offal  seven.  Bought  fifty 
segars,  four  francs  six  sous.  Am  thinking  about  writing  to 


OF    AARON    BURR.  137 

you ;  but  what  can  I  say  ?  The  letter  will  probably  be  opened 
before  it  leaves  this  country,  and  certainly  on  its  arrival  in 
the  United  States.  Pledged  the  watch-ring  yesterday  for 
five  louis,  being  all  I  could  get. 

29.  To  Duke  d'Alberg's,  who  gives  me  good  advice.     A 
stroll,  and  home  at  two.     Perceiving  the  approach  of  famine 
and  a  sans  sous  siege,  bought  seven  bottles  of  wine,  six  francs. 
Had  a  great  dinner.     Drank  a  bottle  of  Burgundy,  cost  thirty 
sous ;  the  other  six  bottles  were  at  fifteen  sous  each.     But, 
just  as  I  was  beginning  the  feast,  came  in  the  servant  of  Fen- 
wick,  with  a  note,  saying  that  my  letters  for  the  United 
States  must  be  sent  before  seven.     It  was  then  five,  and  I 
had  not  written  a  line.     Took  my  dinner  and  bottle  of  wine 
at  leisure,  and  then  went  to  work.     Wrote  you,  and  men- 
tioned sending  some  books  for  Gampy  ;  but,  when  the  letter 
was  finished,  could  not  find  the  books.     Sent  the  letter  with- 
out alteration,  and  you  will  think  some  one  has  stolen  the 
books.     Wrote  also  to  Charles  Loss,  to  whom  sent  three 
little  German  books  for  his  children.     Also  a  letter  to  Gahn, 
and  posted  off  with  them.     It  was  eight  when  I  arrived,  and 
Fenwick  was  out,  so  I  fear  my  labour  is  lost  for  this  time. 
Home ;  and,  by  way  of  consolation,  got  a  supper  of  stewed 
prunes,  with  wine,  &c. 

30.  Got  up  of  my  own  accord  at  half  past  six.     At  nine 
to  Hahn's,  who  will  have  the  chain  in  one  hour.     To  Fen- 
wick's,  who  had  sent  my  letters  before  seven  this  morning, 
which  was  very  kind.     F.  asked  me  to  stay  and  breakfast 
with  a  pretty  woman,  but  declined.     To  Vanderlyn's,  who 
was  just  up,  and  had  not  breakfasted.     He  was  quite  cross 
that  I  came  so  early,  though  his  own  appointment.     It  was 
half  past  eleven  when  he   got  to  work.     Off  at  one.     To 
Hahn's ;  got  the  chain,  five  feet  and  a  half  long  French  meas- 
ure, forty-five  francs  ten  sous,  which  is  fifteen  francs  less 
than  I  expected.     Off  to  Fonzi's.     Madame  was  out.     Left 
the  chain  in  a  little  sugarplum  box.     Fonzi  asked  me  to  dine, 
to  which  agreed  with  reluctance.     I  dine  better  at  home 


138  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

than  elsewhere.  Home ;  at  five  to  Fonzi's  to  dine,  where 
met  Vanderlyn  and  Hernandez.  Madame  content  with  her 
chain.  Home  at  half  past  eight. 

31.  Supped  again  last  evening  on  stewed  prunes,  and  it 
has  so  well  agreed  that  have  done  the  same  to-night.  We 
have  had  three  cold  days,  freezing  all  day.  Now  a  thaw, 
but  every  day  rain,  or  snow,  or  hail,  or  all  of  them. 

At  ten  this  morning  to  Fonzi's,  and  there  till  twelve. 
Home  an  hour,  and  then  to  Vanderlyn's,  where  till  four,  and 
then  to  his  menage  and  dined  with  him.  He  enticed  me  to 
go  to  the  theatre  Franpois.  The  first  time  in  five  months  that 
I  have  been  to  any  theatre.  Saw  the  tragedy  of  Manlius, 
which  shall  send  you,  and,  in  due  time,  my  remarks.  Talrna 
is  the  pride  of  France  in  tragedy.  I  think  M'lle.  Duchesnois 
superior.  Did  not  stay  to  see  the  after-piece.  Home  at 
half  past  nine,  and  have  just  been  supping. 

FROM    THEODOSIA. 

Oaks  (S.  C.),  February  14,  1811. 

Your  letter  of  the  10th  of  November  last  is  just  received. 
The  difficulty  you  find  in  procuring  a  passport  excites  many 
unpleasant  feelings.  Will  not  any  of  your  old  friends  assist 
you  ?  Pray  return  as  soon  as  possible.  In  dear  New-York 
you  have  many  friends  ;  and  in  Connecticut,  I  believe,  a 
majority  of  the  citizens  are  attached  to  you,  a  greater  pro- 
portion than  in  any  other  state  of  the  Union. 

Aloof  and  separated  from  the  whole  world  as  I  am,  my 
means  of  judging  are  neither  copious  nor  well  assured  ;  yet  it 
does  appear  to  me  that  a  return  to  this  country  is  advisable. 
Perhaps  you  would  ask  why  I  have  not  acquired  some 
satisfactory  intelligence  on  this  interesting  subject.  But 
recollect  that  a  letter  of  inquiry  could  be  addressed  to  none 
but  friends,  who,  from  their  situation  and  their  wishes,  see 
everything  through  a  false  medium  ;  and,  in  addressing  me, 
they  always  add  voluntarily  to  what  they  already  estimate 
erroneously.  To  such  friends  only  could  I  apply.  Those 


OF  AARON  BURR.  139 

less  interested  are  either  not  to  be  trusted  or  seem  willing 
to  risk  too  much.  Doubtless  there  are  many  capable  of 
giving  me  just  and  satisfactory  information  ;  but,  placed  as  I 
am,  where  am  I  to  seek  or  see  these  persons  ? 

How  could  you  speak  of  my  negotiation  with  85 — 87,  as 
one  so  often  pressed  upon  me  ?  I  wrote  and  received  an 
answer  which  put  an  end  to  all  hopes  from  that  quarter.  85 
expressly  said  that  nothing  was  in  the  power  of  87.  As  to 
the  gentleman  who  promised  pecuniary  supplies,  he  has  pub- 
lished himself  a  villain. 

The  corn-curer  is  afraid  of  everything;  of  nothing.  In 
our  correspondence  an  allusion  to  you,  made  by  me,  was 
invariably  passed  over  in  silence.  He  is  a  fair-weather 
friend,  in  truth.  When  Natalie  was  in  Washington,  I  beg- 
ged her  to  converse  frequently  on  the  subject,  and  feel  the 
ground.  With  the  corn-curer  she  had  private  conversations  ; 
from  these  she  assured  me  that  he  appeared  to  wish  you 
well,  but  lived  in  tremour.  Poor  A.  B.  Reeves  would  have 
helped  us,  and  zealously. 

Many  of  my  letters  have  been  lost.  I  have  written  to  you 
frequently  since  August,  1809.  I  thank  'God  that  you  have 
present  means  of  support.  Economize  them ;  for  even 
those  who  might  be  willing  are,  or  will  be,  unable  to  assist 
you.  This  country  (the  United  States)  is  in  a  deplorable 
condition.  So  many  bankruptcies  have  taken  place  in  New- 
York,  that  even  private  amusements  are  affected  by  them. 
Here  our  produce  will  not  sell ;  the  necessaries  of  life  are 
high;  creditors  pressing;  the  newspapers  filled  with  adver- 
tisements of  property  which  finds  no  purchasers.  Several 

judgments  have  been  obtained  against .  He,  too,  has 

advertised  lands  and  negroes,  but  in  vain. 

J.  P.  V.  N.  is  like  the  rest  of  the  world.  When  I  was 
in  New- York,  W.  P.  was  doubtful  whether  it  would  be  quite 
safe  to  visit  me.  John  Swartwout  is  true,  invariably  and 
nobly  conspicuous  as  the  sun.  He  retrieves  the  character 
of  man. 


140  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

Gampillo  drinks  your  health  every  day  and  everywhere. 
We  have  procured  a  good  preceptor  for  him,  and  his  prog- 
ress is  worthy  of  his  blood.  He,  too,  has  written  to  you 
often.  The  miscarriage  of  his  letters  he  deems  a  great 
misfortune  to  you  and  himself. 

For  God's  sake  resume  the  old  cipher.  This  new  one,  to 
which  no  key  has  reached  me,  is  a  severe  addition  to  my 
anxieties  and  disappointments.  In  vain  has  E.  A.  laboured 
to  afford  me  some  elucidation  ;  in  vain  have  I  spent  days 
and  nights,  working  at  it  with  tears.  Not  one  word  can  be 
made  out.  I  needed  not  this  new  mortification.  Pardon, 
dear  Mentor,  but  my  heart  is  heavy  at  your  absence.  My 
affliction,  like  a  corroding  poison,  sinks  deeper,  and  irritates 
more  and  more  every  day.  Yet  it  is  not  your  absence 
merely  that  I  deplore ;  but  your  unavailing  absence  which 
preys  upon  me.  We  do  not  perceive  that  time  has  yet  pro- 
duced any  better  feelings  among  our  fellow-citizens. 

My  health  is  good.  We  have  purchased  and  built  at 
Grenville.  We  were  right  in  our  expectation  of  that  coun- 
try, notwithstanding  L.  P.,  &c.  Mr.  Alston  is  kind  and  af- 
fectionate. One  of  our  best  friends  determined  my  opinion 
of  J.  P.  V.  N.  when  I  was  in  New- York. 

How  is  it  possible  that  I  have  written  three  pages  without 
mentioning  the  journal,  which  gives  me  so  much  pride,  and 
from  which  I  expect  to  enjoy  so  many  hours  of  pleasure  ? 
For  the  books,  too,  thank  you,  my  beloved  father.  Adieu. 

THEODOSIA. 

JOURNAL. 

Paris,  February  1,  1811.  To  Valkenaer's  ;  he  was  abed, 
but  not  more  ill.  Has  received  a  letter  from  Amsterdam 
promising  full  returns  on  Sunday.  To  Griswold's ;  he  is 
quite  indisposed.  Is  resolved  to  go,  within  three  or  four 
days,  south,  and  to  leave  France  shortly.  Thus,  if  there 
should  be  delay  in  my  Amsterdam  affair,  all  will  be  lost. 
To  Vanderlyn's  ;  he  was  busy  and  impatient,  and  so,  instead 


OF    AARON    BURR.  141 

of  working,  we  agreed  to  walk.  Went  to  the  Louvre,  where 
an  hour  ;  thence  to  his  house  to  dine.  After  dinner  to  the 
theatre,  Port  St.  Martin,  where  saw  a  great  pantomime, 
"  La  Ruine  de  Persepolis."  You  will  read  it,  and  then  I'll 
tell  you  more.  The  only  distinction  between  the  good  and 
the  evil  genii  was  in  colour.  Of  course,  the  devils  were 
black.  It  would  be  a  most  diverting  comedy  to  have  a 
hundred  or  two  of  your  Oaks  blacks  placed  in  the  parterre  to 
witness  the  exhibition.  There  were  fifteen  or  twenty  little 
black  devils,  apparently  eight  or  ten  years  old,  who  danced 
and  moved  very  much  a  la  negre.  Home  at  half  past  ten. 

Found  on  my  arrival  a  note  from  Mrs.  Robertson,  asking 
me  to  dine,  and  meet  a  beautiful  young  lady  on  Sunday. 
On  that  day  am  engaged  to  Fenwick's,  where  I  shall  be 
more  amused,  even  without  a  beautiful  young  lady. 

2.  At  ten  to  Fonzi's.     Left  them  at  work  for  me.     Called 
on  Griswold,  who  is  still  indisposed,  but  persisting  in  his 
journey.     Then,  having  no  engagement,  I  deliberated  wheth- 
er I  should  go  and  do  some  folly,  or  go  home  and  assort  my 
papers,  &c.     Contrary  to  all  rule  and  experience,  went  di- 
rectly home,  where,  instead  of  assorting  papers,  I  spent  two 
hours  in  reading  two  law  memoires ;  two  more  in  smoking 
segars  and   cooking  my  dinner,  and,  seeing    that  nothing 
would  be  done,  sallied  out  after  dinner.    Home  ;  on  the  way 
called  on  Mr.  Griswold,  who  had  company,  and  so  did  not 
see  him. 

Last  evening,  after  getting  home,  though  I  had  dined 
heartily,  took  my  supper  of  prunes  au  vin.  Did  not  go  to 
bed  till  two.  Rose  at  seven.  This  evening  have  also  taken 
my  prunes,  but  shall  not  sit  up  till  two.  Mrs.  Robertson's 
servant  called  about  nine  this  morning  for  answer.  Gave, 
verbally,  negative,  and  wrote  a  note  by  the  petite  poste. 

3.  Another  warm  day.     Mist  and  a  little  rain.     Thermom- 
eter now,  at  midnight,  at  48.     To  Fonzi's  at  half  past  ten, 
and  there  till  three  ;  then  homeward.     On  the  way,  called 
on  Clot,  for  half  an  hour.     At  five  to  Fonzi's  and  dined. 


142  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

Home.     Have  had  my  supper  of  prunes.     Nothing  from 
Amsterdam. 

4.  At  ten  to  Denon's.     He  advised  me  to  write  Duke 
Rovigo,  and  will  second  the  application.     To  Mrs.  Robert- 
son.    Toujours  le  meme.     Asked  to  dine,  which  declined. 
To  Fonzi's   an  hour,  and   then  home.     Dinner  chez  moi, 
bouillon  gras,  beef  and  potatoes.     At  six  came  in  Vander- 
lyn,  and  I  took  him  again  to  see  La  Ruine  de  Persepolis ; 
was  amused,  and  shall  go  again.     Bas  les  schawl.     Sortez 
la  femme.     Bas  le  coulisse  (au  Francois),  which  interrupted 
for  five  minutes  an  interesting  scene. 

The  little  negroes  amuse  me  most.  The  new  danseuse 
did  not  appear  to-night.  It  was  my  principal  motive  in  go- 
ing to  see  her. 

5.  Had  engaged  to  breakfast  with  C.     At  half  past  nine 
called.     C.  had  gone  out,  but  came  home  and  made   my 
breakfast  as  usual.     Had  no  great  occasion  for  any,  having 
come  with  a  headache,  which  continued  till  six  this  evening, 
though  slight,  owing,  I  suspect,  to  eating  and  drinking  too 
freely  yesterday.     After  breakfast  to  Valkenaer's.     Le  N. 
said  he  had  had  a  bad  night,  and  was  asleep.     At  that  mo- 
ment out  came  Swediaur.    Then  Le  N-,  a  little  embarrassed, 
proposed   to  go,  &c.     After  waiting  about  ten  minutes  in 
the  corridor  with  the  servants,  came  off  without  an  answer. 
But  the  reception  is  in  itself  eloquent.     Swediaur  had,  you 
see,  long  since  given  me  up,  having  paid  me  no  sort  of  atten- 
tion these  six  months. 

To  Pelouse's  to  get  a  book  which  I  had  left  to  be  bound. 
On  my  way  home  bought  a  crayon  and  pencase,  fifty  sous. 
Comp.  for  boot-tops,  twenty  sous ;  and  having  left  exactly 
sixteen  sous,  I  bought  with  them  two  plays  for  my  present 
amusement  and  then  for  yours.  Came  home  at  one  with 
my  two  plays  and  not  a  single  sous.  Have  been  ransack- 
ing everywhere  to  see  if  no  little  ten  sous  piece  could  be 
found.  Not  one.  To  make  matters  worse,  I  am  out  of  se- 
gars,  but  have  a  little  black,  vile  tobacco,  which  serves  as 


OF    AARON    BURR  143 

substitute.  Poor  Jul.,  too,  is  exhausted,  being  in  advance  for 
me  twenty  or  thirty  francs. 

In  this  state  of  finance  have  not  been  abroad  since  one. 
Have  read  the  two  plays.  Manlius,  a  tragedy,  which  is 
passable,  and  no  more,  though  very  greatly  in  vogue  here  at 
this  moment.  The  other,  a  comedy,  La  Jardiniere.  Two 
or  three  good  scenes,  but  the  denouement  and  the  close  ab- 
surd and  insipid.  Then  took  to  French  law.  Took  no  din- 
ner on  account  of  the  headache  ;  but  have  had  my  usual  sup- 
per of  prunes,  with  which  finished  my  last  bottle  of  wine. 

The  morning  quite  cold.  Thermometer  down  to  30. 
Fog,  &c. 

6.  At  eleven  to  Valkenaer's.     He  was  with  his  friend  Bl. 
Said,  on  my  coming  in,  that  he  had  nothing  from  Amsterdam ; 
and  that,  when  he  should  have,  he  would  instantly  communi- 
cate it.     Civil,  but  cool ;   perhaps  ill  health.     After  what 
happened  yesterday,  you  did  not  expect  I  would  have  called 
to-day.     But  business,  so  interesting  to  me,  must  not  be 
sacrificed  to  form  or  to  motives  of  mere  delicacy,  to  which, 
perhaps,  only  one  party  is  sensible.     Stayed  but  a  few  min- 
utes.    Thence  home  to  consider  of  my  sans  sous  state.     To 
Vanderlyn's,  where  two  hours.    Then  took  Pelouse's  in  my 
way  home,  and  sat  half  an  hour  with  madame.     Home  at 
half  past  four.     A  pleasant  summer  day,  but  the  sky  thick. 
Put  on  robe  de  chambre,  which  is  my  old  Philadelphia  great- 
coat, and  have  not  stirred  out.     Jul.  had  me  a  good  dinner; 
soup,  turkey,  &c.     Found  another  bottle  of  wine.     Took  no 
supper.     Yes,  I  went  in  my  robe  de  chambre  at  nine  this 
evening,  and  sat  an  hour  with  Griswold. 

7.  At  ten   to  Griswold's.      He  is  much   better   on   my 
starving  system,  but  will  not  have  the  courage  to  pursue  it. 
Wrote  there  a  note  to  Valkenaer,  saying  that  I  would  call 
at  twelve  to   have  a  few  minutes'  conversation  with  him. 
Received  verbal  answer  assenting.    Went.    Found  him  abed. 
Made  strong  professions  of  good-will.     Nothing  from  Am- 
sterdam.    Home.     Borrowed  forty  sous  of  Jul.,  being  al 


144  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

she  had.  To  Vanderlyn's  at  three.  He  had  received  a  little 
money,  and  lent  me  six  crowns  (thirty  francs).  I  had  in- 
vited young  Doolittle  to  drive  there  to  meet  me.  Bought 
two  bottles  of  wine  (five  francs)  for  the  occasion.  We  dined 
and  sat  till  seven. 

8.  Last  evening  I  made  a  letter,  and  this  morning  wrote 
it  to  the  friend  of  Valkenaer  in  Amsterdam,  in  order  to  close 
this  eternal  negotiation  about  nothing.  Went  with  my  letter 
to  Valkenaer  to  get  his  consent.  He  was  abed  and  ill. 
Seemed  averse  to  my  procedure.  I  took  from  him  the  letter, 
and  was  in  the  act  of  tearing  it.  He  stopped  me,  and  now 
insisted  on  my  sending  it.  Here  a  pleasant  debate,  for 
nothing  is  so  charming  as  this  strife  of  delicacy  after  one 
is  calm  enough  to  reflect.  He  added  a  postscript  to  give 
authenticity  to  my  letter,  folded,  sealed,  and  superscribed 
it,  and  I  sent  it  to  the  postoffice.  He  renewed  his  profes- 
sions of  friendship,  and  pleaded  ill  health.  He  does  indeed 
suffer  a  great  deal.  To  Grisvvold's  a  few  minutes.  Learn 
that  Crede  has  got  offended  in  the  most  unexpected  and 
surprising  mariner,  which  afflicts  me,  for  his  conduct  has 
been  noble,  disinterested,  and  generous. 

To  Vanderlyn's.  After  working  half  an  hour,  we  both 
got  very  hungry  and  agreed  to  quit  work.  I  to  go  to  his 
house  to  order  dinner,  arid  he  to  follow  after  arranging  his 
atelier.  We  made  a  good  dinner  on  the  leavings  of  yester- 
day, with  the  addition  of  macaroni.  Thence  to  the  opera 
for  the  first  time  in  six  months.  Saw  le  Caravan  de  Caise, 
and  Paul  and  Virginie.  The  latter  a  pantomime.  They 
always  ennui  me  when  they  speak.  The  pantomime  was 
tolerable  and  no  more.  The  scenery  quite  ordinary.  Home 
at  eleven. 

A  fool  and  his  money  are  soon  parted.  Last  evening  I 
had  thirty-two  francs,  having  borrowed  thirty  of  Vanderlyn, 
and  now  have  forty  sous.  The  account  you  will  see  in  the 
little  book.  But,  for  example,  had  a  bottle  of  wine,  thirty 
sous,  to  carry  to  Vanderlyn's,  and  for  this  and  other  reasons 


OF    AARON    BURR.  145 

took  a  cabriole,  thirty  sous  more  ;  then  bought  another  bottle 
at  forty  sous,  to  please  his  maid,  who  was  in  bad  humour 
with  the  counter  orders  about  dinner. 

9.  Thinking  of  ways  and  means,  took  that  beautiful  pic- 
ture of  Caroline,  and  desired  Mr.  A.  to  pledge  it  for  what 
he  could  get..    It  cost  fifty  guineas,  and  I  doubt  whether  he 
will  get  five  on  it.     Six  would  pay  all  my  debts  and  subsist 
me  a  fortnight,  before  which  my  Amsterdam  affair  must  and 
shall  terminate.     Home.     Made   duplicate  of  my  letter  to 
Amsterdam,  and  sent  again  to  Mr.  A.'s  to  get  him  to  direct 
and  forward  it.     He  was  out ;  so  have  not  heard  the  fate  of 
Caroline.     Home  again.     On  the  way  bought  three  plays, 
at  eight  sous  each.     Have  read  two  of  them. 

10.  My  dear  Theodosia,  I  am  sick  at  heart,  having  made 
the  most  afflicting  of  all  discoveries,  the  perfidy  of  a  friend. 
A  few  days  ago,  a  slight  suspicion  was  excited  in  my  mind, 
as  you  may  recollect,  but  I  rejected  it  as  unworthy  of  him 
and  unworthy  of  me.     It  is  confirmed  with   every  circum- 
stance of  aggravation.     I  had  confided  to  him  my  specula- 
tion with  unqualified  frankness  ;    disclosed  every   circum- 
stance— things  known  to  me  alone.     I  had  built  on  it  the 
hopes  of  fortune.    He  pledged  solemnly  his  honour  to  speak 
of  it  to  no  one  without  my  leave.     Not  to  take  a  step  but 
in    concurrence  with  me,  on  terms  we  ha'd   agreed.      He 
went,  I  believe  the  same  day,  disclosed  the  whole,  and  as- 
sociated himself  with  another  to   take  it  wholly  from  me. 
The  object  is  irrevocably  lost ;  for,  even  if  he  should  repent, 
he  cannot  take  back  his  communications. 

This  man  first  sought  me  under  very  peculiar  circum- 
stances ;  such  as  denoted  generosity  of  sentiment,  sensibility, 
and  independence  of  mind.  Suera  ausi  fames. 

I  dined  to-day  at  Pelouse's  for  the  first  time  since  they 
removed.  Had  written  a  note  to  Crede,  and  called  to  de- 
liver it.  He  received  me  as  usual,  very  cheerful  and  cour- 
teous !  Home  at  seven,  and  have  been  reading  the  melo- 
drame  of  Paul  and  Virginie. 


146  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

Called  this  morning  at  Fonzi's,  having  my  whole  fortune, 
sixteen  sous,  in  my  pocket.  He  was  making  change  with  a 
customer,  and  asked  me  to  lend  him  sixteen  sous,  which  I 
did,  and  have  twice  gone  round  by  the  Pont  Neuf  because 
I  had  not  the  sous  to  pay  my  passage  over  the  Pont  des 
Artes. 

11.  At  half  past  nine  to  Griswold's.     Then  to  Vanderlyn's 
by  his  appointment.     He  had  forgotten    the  appointment; 
had  engaged  to  go  out,  and  was  not  very  glad  to  see  me. 
Home.     Stopped  a  few  minutes  at  Pelouse's,  where  met  my 
inmate,  and  engaged  to  dine  to-day  with  her  and  husband, 
chez  nous.     Got  home  at  half  past  three.     Warm,  and  rain 
all  day,  but  this  evening  a  little  hail  and  something  colder, 
but  the  thermometer  is  still  above  frost.     We  have  had  one 
very  pleasant  day.     I  think  the  day  before  yesterday. 

What  do  you  think  they  had  the  conscience  to  offer  for 
Caroline's  picture  ?  but  I  may  as  well  tell  you,  for  you'd 
never  guess  ;  eighteen  francs,  about  three  dollars  and  a  half. 
So  took  it  back,  and  left  my  new  watch  to  be  pawned,  of 
which  I  shall  hear  to-morrow.  Vanderlyn  called  on  me  at 
four,  and,  having  just  received  some  money,  lent  me  twenty 
francs.  Paid  my  translator  three  francs,  and  gave  Jul.  five 
francs  on  account. 

Crede  has  not  called  on  me,  nor  answered  my  note. 
Think  of  calling  on  him  to-morrow  for  an  explanation.  We 
are  now  in  the  midst  of  Carnival ;  during  which,  people  are 
permitted  to  go  masked  and  disguised.  Men  in  women's 
clothes,  and  women  in  men's.  You  meet  some  harlequins 
and  other  ridiculous  figures  in  the  streets  ;  but,  I  am  told, 
far  less  in  number  than  formerly. 

12.  I  have,  as  always,  a  great  deal  to  tell  you,  and,  as  al- 
ways, sha'n't  tell  you  a  word  of  it,  only  where  I  have  been. 
The  rest  is  withheld  for  our  chat. 

At  ten,  I  believe,  for  have  no  watch,  to  Griswold's ;  he 
was  engaged  with  company.  To  Fonzi's,  and  there  till  two  ; 
then  to  Valkenaer's.  He  had  sent  for  me,  but  I  had  not  re 


OF    AARON    BURR.  147 

ceived  the  message.  At  last,  a  letter  from  Amsterdam. 
Nothing,  however,  decisive,  nor  very  satisfactory.  But  as 
the  speculation  is  ruined  by  the  perfidy  of  Crede,  I  have  less 
solicitude.  I  am  yet  in  hopes  to  make  one  thousand  dollars 
out  of  some  of  them,  but  how  easy  a  million  ought  to  have 
been  made  !  To  Griswold's.  Out.  Home. 

Dinner  a  bouillon  gras.  Tea  and  topin  ambour,  which 
last  you  never  heard  of.  It  is  a  root  of  exactly  the  taste  and 
flavour  of  artichokes.  I  shall  enrich  you  with  some  seed, 
and  also  with  estragon,  the  only  two  vegetables  of  use  for 
the  kitchen  which  I  find  here  and  not  with  us.  All  those 
with  which  you  are  acquainted  we  have  in  much  greater 
perfection  than  here ;  and  we  have  many  of  which  you  have 
no  knowledge. 

After  dinner  took  a  stroll.  Paid  my  washerwoman  this 
morning  five  francs,  and  have  nearly  six  left.  Home  at  half 
past  nine.  Sat  half  an  hour  with  my  inmate.  Have  had 
my  hot  sangaree  ;  so  bon  soir. 

Raining  all  day,  and  chilling  north  wind.  What  impu 
dence  to  boast  of  their  climate.  A  note  from  Fenwick  ask- 
ing me  to  dine  to-morrow. 

13.  A  brilliant  morning.  Sun  shining  bright  for  this  hemi- 
sphere. Went  out  without  my  umbrella.  Before  I  got  one 
hundred  yards  it  began  to  rain.  Went  back  for  the  um- 
brella. At  ten  to  Fonzi's,  and  there  till  one.  Home.  At 
two  to  Vanderlyn's  by  appointment.  On  the  way  called  to 
leave  note  in  reply  to  Fenwick,  who  being  at  home  and 
alone,  sat  a  few  minutes.  Found  Vanderlyn  engaged,  and 
asked  me  to  call  in  half  an  hour ;  during  that  half  hour 
amused  myself  by  walking  in  the  rain  and  a  most  tempestu- 
ous wind.  Then  found  him,  but  indisposed  for  work ;  but 
his  friend  had  pledged  the  watch  for  twelve  louis,  which  was 
much  beyond  my  hopes.  The  money  could  be  had  at  eight 
in  the  evening ;  but  John  thought  it  too  far  to  walk  to  bring 
it  to  me,  so  I  agreed  to  call  for  it  at  nine.  Then  home,  and, 
after  a  little  change  in  dress,  to  Fenwick's.  Off  at  half  past 


148  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

seven  to  Griswold's,  having  learned  that  since  morning  he 
had  sent  three  times  to  know  if  I  were  at  home.  He  was 
out.  Left  word  that  I  would  be  at  home  till  half  past  eight. 
At  eight  he  called  and  sat  till  near  nine.  All  about  the  Hol- 
land Company  affair,  which  I  think  is  totally  spoiled,  as  well 
for  Crede  as  for  me.  Then  to  Vanderlyn's  to  get  my  300 
francs.  Since  my  foot-accident  all  my  boots  hurt  the  left 
foot.  Having  walked  a  great  deal  to-day,  was  quite  lame ; 
and,  not  having  thirty  sous  to  pay  a  cabriole,  put  on  an  old 
pair  of  shoes  and  off  to  Vanderlyn's,  raining,  snowing,  and  hail- 
ing, with  a  storm  of  wind.  Got  the  cash  ;  for  this  and  the 
120  on  the  ring-watch,  was  deducted  the  interest  for  one 
month  at  1^  per  month,  making  about  seven  francs  fifteen 
sous.  Paid  Vanderlyn  his  sev.enty  francs,  and  got  safe  home 
with  the  rest,  being  very  tired,  and  wet  half  leg  high,  having 
walked  about  five  miles  since  dinner.  After  making  a  good 
fire,  was  hungry,  and  finding  a  bouillon  gras,  disposed  of  it, 
and  concluded  by  smoking,  and  drinking  a  pint  of  wine. 

14.  I  do  not  find  that  Saint  Valentine  is  in  any  particular 
estimation  here.  None  of  those  love-messages  to  which  the 
day  is  sacred  with  us  among  the  youth.  A  sunshiny  morn- 
ing. Sor.  at  ten,  and  before  I  got  to  Fonzi's  it  was  raining, 
and,  while  there,  it  was  snowing  and  hailing..  The  wind  as 
yesterday ;  indeed,  it  is  never  weary  with  blowing.  Was 
at  Fonzi's  till  one;  then  home;  then  to  Vanderlyn's,  whom 
found  disengaged.  Stayed  till  four.  We  then  took  dinner 
chez  lui.  Bought  bottle  wine,  forty  sous.  After  dinner  we 
went  to  the  theatre,  Port  St.  Martin,  where  saw  "  Le  Juge- 
ment  Supreme,"  a  pantomime.  J  always  buy  for  you  the 
pieces  I  see,  which  saves  describing.  Was  very  much 
amused,  more  with  the  absurdities  and  extravagances  than 
with  anything  excellent  either  in  music  or  dancing.  The 
horses,  the  stag,  and  the  dogs  were  the  only  actors  who  did 
not  overleap  nature.  The  bear  was  evidently  a  bear  who 
had  been  educated  in  Paris.  He  stepped  to  the  music  and 
expected  applause.  The  negro,  with  black  gloves  and  black 


OF    AARON    BURR.  149 

mask,  scarcely  covering  his  face,  and  exposing  his  white 
ears,  and  neck,  and  chin,  gave  great  satisfaction.  Ah,  quil 
est  drole.  Home  at  ten.  To  beggars  seven  sous. 

15.  At  the  Port  St.  Martin  theatre  last  night  bought  an 
opera-glass.  I  did  not  mean  to  buy,  though  of  fifty  which  I 
have  tried  it  is  much  the  best.  I  had  with  me  one  from 
Rochette  on  trial,  for  which  he  asked  thirty  francs  ;  for  this 
the  man  asked  thirty-six  francs.  Intending  to  get  rid  of  him, 
I  said  I  would  not  give  him  more  than  fifteen.  Eh  bien,  said 
he,  il  faut  que  je  vend  c'est  pour  rien,  mais  prenez  le  a  votre 
prix.  I  had  no  money.  This  was  no  objection ;  he  would 
call  in  the  morning.  I  gave  him  my  address.  He  called 
and  got  his  fifteen  francs. 

At  ten  to  Mr.  Griswold's.  Then  to  Fonzi's,  where  worked 
with  Gaudoine  till  two,  and  thought  we  had  done ;  but  this 
evening  I  discover  that  there  are  yet  some  alterations  to  be 
made. 

Dinner  chez  moi.  Jul.  had  provided  a  bouillon  and  fish. 
I  added  potatoes  and  topin  ambour,  and  drank  a  whole  bottle 
of  wine — fifteen  sous  wine.  After  dinner  to  Rochette's  to 
return  his  opera-glass,  and  thence  to  the  opera.  Went  first 
into  the  pit  (parterre) ;  but,  finding  it  very  crowded,  and  seeing 
a  place  in  the  amphitheatre,  back  of  the  pit  and  just  below 
the  front  boxes,  I  paid  the  additional  sum,  three  francs  eigh- 
teen sous,  and  went  there.  Anacreon  chez  Policrates,  an 
opera,  was  the  first  piece,  and  it  lasted  till  quarter  past  ten. 
It  was  dull  beyond  expression,  and  not  relieved  either  by 
scenery  or  dancing  of  any  merit.  I  was  so  weary  that  I  left 
the  theatre  and  came  home,  though  I  wished  much  to  see 
Persee  et  Andromede,  which  was  the  other  piece,  and  which 
had  before  amused  me.  I  paid  thirty  sous  for  the  Anacreon 
chez  Policrates,  so  that  my  evening's  ennui  cost  nine  francs 
ten  sous,  including  twenty  sous  of  which  I  was  cheated  in 
change. 

How  and  why  you  are  imposed  on  by  commissionaires, 
who  hawk  about  tickets,  shall  be  told  another  time.     Paid 


150  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

Jul.  oeing  since  the  2d  of  January,  twenty-five  francs,  which 
can  t  be  half  what  is  due  to  her.  Cannot  get  my  thirty  francs 
of  my  inmate,  of  which  you  shall  hear  a  story.  Fog  and 
mist,  with  a  gale  of  wind.  Raining  since  noon,  and  now 
raining;  wind  and  storm. 

16.  This  is  the  anniversary  of  my  happy  advent  to  this 
holy  city.  The  wind  continued  a  perfect  hurricane  this 
morning,  with  fog  and  mist.  Was  engaged  to  breakfast  with 
Vanderlyn.  Got  there  at  nine.  Cold,  chilling  weather. 
Had  a  detestable  breakfast  of  the  coffee  which  is  bought 
ready  burned  and  ground,  being  one  half  chicory  and  the  res- 
idue some  other  drug.  Vanderlyn  was  not  disposed  for 
work,  so  walked  home  again.  On  my  way  called  on  Mr. 
Pelouse  and  paid  sixty  francs,  being  two  months  rent,  ending 
22d  inst.  Found  note  from  Fenwick  referring  over  till  Mon- 
day the  dinner  proposed  this  day.  Glad  of  it.  Have  not 
been  abroad  since  four.  That  infernal  breakfast  had  so  de- 
stroyed my  appetite  that  I  took  no  dinner.  Supped  on 
stewed  prunes. 

Note  to  tell  Theo.  of  the  pleasures  of  walking  in  Paris. 
No  sidewalk.  The  carts,  cabrioles,  and  carriages  of  all 
sorts  run  up  to  the  very  houses.  You  must  save  yourself 
by  bracing  flat  against  the  wall,  there  being,  in  most  places, 
stones  set  up  against  the  houses  to  keep  the  carts  from  in- 
juring them.  Most  of  the  streets  are  paved  as  Albany  and 
New-York  were  before  the  revolution,  with  an  open  gutter 
in  the  middle.  Some  arched  in  the  middle,  and  a  like  gut- 
ter each  side,  very  near  the  houses.  It  is  fine  sport  for  the 
cabriole  and  hack  drivers  to  run  a  wheel  in  one  of  these 
gutters,  always  full  of  filth,  and  bespatter  fifty  pedestrians 
who  are  braced  against  the  wall. 

The  gutters  or  conduits  for  the  water  from  the  eaves  of  the 
houses  are  carried  out  a  few  feet  fom  the  roofs,  and  thus  dis- 
charge the  rain-water  over  your  head.  In  most  places  there 
are  no  such  pipes,  and  then  you  have  the  benefit  of  the  water 
from  the  eaves.  This  was  a  great  ridicule  against  the  city  of 


OF    AARON    BURR.  151 

Albany  about  twenty  years  ago ;  but  Albany  has  reformed 
the  evil. 

17.  I  did  not  tell  you  last  evening  that  after  dinner  I  slept 
an  hour.  Nevertheless,  I  slept  from  one  till  ten  this  morn- 
ing. For  six  weeks  past  my  sleep  had  been  reduced  to  six 
and  seven  hours. 

Took  my  leisure,  and  did  not  go  out  till  two.  To  Pe- 
louse's.  Out.  But,  before  going  out,  wrote  a  letter  to  Pluym 
and  Bacher,  which  Mr.  A.  took  to  the  postoffice  for  me. 
From  Pelouse's  to  Crede's.  Out.  Then  leisurely  through 
the  Tuileries  to  see  the  gay  folks  en  promenade.  There 
were  thousands,  but  not  one  of  those  figures  or  dresses 

9  O 

which  are  exhibited  in  the  little  pictures  which  I  shall  buy 
for  you.  Those  things  are  taken  from  the  theatres,  and  it 
is  very  rare  that  you  see  one  such  in  the  streets,  or  in  any 
promenade.  Now  and  then  one  among  the  filles  (which  is 
a  term  appropriated  to  public  women)  of  the  Palais  Royal. 

After  passing  an  hour  in  the  Tuileries  without  seeing  one 
beautiful  woman,  along  the  Boulevard  with  no  better  suc- 
cess for  two  hours.  Much  folk,  but  little  to  remark.  You 
must  know  that  this  week  is  the  height  of  Carnival.  Home 
at  five.  Dinner  chez  moi.  Sent  to  Pelouse  for  some  wine 
which  had  engaged.  It  did  not  come  till  seven  o'clock,  so 
would  not  open  a  bottle  ;  but  Vanderlyn  coming  in  at  eight, 
we  drank  one. 

The  day  is  less  warm  than  for  the  week  past,  but  cloudy 
and  foggy,  with  chilling  wind.  Nevertheless,  you  see  hun- 
dreds sitting  in  the  open  air  in  the  Tuileries  to  observe  the 
passing.  This  evening  more  calm  and  clear. 

Received,  on  returning  home  this  afternoon,  a  note  from 
Mrs.  Robertson,  that  she  had  made  a  "parti  quarree"  for 
me  to-morrow,  and  asking  my  attendance  at  dinner.  I  was 
engaged,  as  you  know,  with  Fenwick,  and  so  wrote  Rob- 
ertson. 

I  have  been  this  evening  for  two  hours  preaching  econo- 
VOL.  II.  10 


152  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

my  and  industry  to  Vanderlyn.  The  spirit  is  willing,  but 
the  flesh,  I  fear,  too  weak. 

18.  Very  grave,  and  philosophic,  and  full  of  good  resolu- 
tions. Have  lost  my  umbrella  !  But  it  is  better  to  begin  in 
the  usual  form.  Rose  early,  got  my  breakfast,  and  was  at 
Fonzi's  at  nine,  and  there  till  twelve,  having,  I  hope,  fin- 
ished one  piece.  Thence  to  my  tailor's  to  pay  his  account, 
fifty-five  francs,  including  ten  francs  for  trifles.  To  Pe- 
louse's  a  few  minutes,  and  then  home.  Vanderlyn  came  in 
at  two  and  sat  an  hour.  Nothing  material.  At  five  to  Fen- 
wick's,  where  dined  and  stayed  till  eight.  Have  arranged 
to  go  together  to  the  bal  masquerade  on  Mardi  gras. 

Having  made  a  full  dinner,  took  a  repast  at  Auge,  and  my 
part  of  a  bottle  of  wine.  At  Fonzi's  this  morning  met 
Falri,  who  asked  me  to  dine,  which  declined,  thinking  it 
were  compliment.  He  urged  and  I  persisted.  He  called 
to  make  me  a  formal  visit,  to  justify  the  invitation.  I  was 
at  home,  but  dined.  Shall  return  his  visit  to-morrow  and 
accept  his  invitation.  He  is  a  friend  of  Vanderlyn,  in  whose 
honour  is  the  dinner. 

In  the  Palais  Royal  met  the  domestic  of  Mrs.  Robertson 
with  a  note,  asking  me  to-morrow,  to  which  assented  ver- 
bally. 

[From  the  18th  of  February  until  the  middle  of  May, 
1811,  the  journal  is  missing.  This  is  unfortunate,  as  the 
period  was  interesting  ;  and  it  is  to  be  regretted  that  his  cor- 
respondence, so  far  as  it  is  preserved  among  his  papers,  does 
not  afford  a  satisfactory  explanation  as  to  the  manner  in 
which  he  ultimately  obtained  a  passport  to  leave  France. 
It  is,  however,  known  to  the  editor  of  these  volumes,  that  he 
was  greatly  indebted  to  Mons.  Denon  and  to  the  Duke  de 
Bassano  for  their  unceasing  aid  and  kindness  on  the  occa- 
sion. The  latter  of  whom,  through  the  agency  of  the  for- 
mer, voluntarily  and  generously  advanced  the  necessary 
funds  to  enable  Col.  Burr  to  discharge  all  his  debts,  and  to 
leave  the  country  with  credit.] 


OF  AAPON  SURR.  153 


FEtM  7RICH  BOLLMAN. 

Philadelphia,  March  5,  1811. 

Your  letters  of  the  20th  and  26th  of  September  have  come 
duly  to  hand,  I  regret  extremely  that  you  axe  not  here. 
Your  presence  and  your  society  would  be  an  indemnification 
for  many  things  mortifying  and  unpleasant.  The  renewal 
of  the  charter  of  the  United  States'  Bank  has  been  the  princi- 
pal business  before  Congress  this  winter.  Perceiving  that 
the  subject  was  so  little  understood,  I  published  a  small  book, 
entitled  "  Paragraphs  on  Banks."  The  first  edition  of  seven 
hundred  and  fifty  copies  was  sold  in  three  days,  and  an  im- 
proved second  edition  is  nearly  sold.  It  has  been  well  re- 
ceived everywhere.  Some  think  it  would  not  dishonour 
Adam  Smith,  Others,  that  it  will  be  read  by  those  desirous 
of  information  on  the  subject  many  years  hence  as  well  as 
now.  And  those  who  affect  to  be  least  pleased  agree  that 
no  treatise  extant  is  more  clear,  concise,  and  full.  Notwith- 
standing which,  the  federalists  have  not  dared  to  recommend, 
nay,  to  name  it;  the  booksellers  hesitated  to  advertise  it. 
Duane,  to  whose  opinions  and  editorial  workings  it  was  op- 
posed, forced  to  speak  respectfully  of  it,  has  brought  it  into 
notice.  The  charter  has  been  lost  in  spite  of  sense,  and  rea- 
son, and  interest,  and  Gallatin,  who  is  said  to  be  going  to 
resign. 

In  the  House  of  Representatives  the  indefinite  postpone- 
ment of  the  question  was  carried  by  one  vote.  In  the  Sen- 
ate, a  bill  for  renewal  lost  by  the  casting  vote  of  the  vice- 
president.  The  non-intercourse  with  England  passed  last 
Thursday  morning  at  five  o'clock.  All  sorts  of  distress 
seem  impending.  Commerce,  revenue,  facility  of  nego- 
tiating loans  have  disappeared.  Confidence  begins  to  be 
impaired,  and  everything  looks  gloomy.  Some  thorough 
revolution  in  men  and  measures,  I  should  conceive,  cannot 
be  far  distant. 

On  the  Spanish  Main  and  in  Mexico  all  is  confusion.    The 


154  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

party  of  the  European  Spaniards  hold  out  for  Ferdinand 
The  Creoles  declare  themselves  independent.  Everywhere, 
except  in  the  Caraccas,  the  parties  have  come  to  blows. 
The  former,  having  the  regular  troops  with  them  mostly, 
continue  still  victorious.  Men  of  talents,  leaders,  are  want- 
ing to  the  latter.  In  the  Caraccas  the  Creoles  lead,  and  have 
shipped  off  the  European  Spaniards.  Miranda  has  been  re- 
ceived in  triumph. 

Lieutenant  Pike  has  published  an  interesting  journal  of 
his  Excursion  up  the  Mississippi  and  Missouri  to  the  Rio 
del  Norte.  All  that  part  of  New  Spain  bordering  on  Loui- 
siana, the  Provincias  Internas,  have  thrown  off  their  allegi- 
ance. Priests  head  the  armed  force.  The  president  at 
Washington  studies  the  law  of  nations,  but  cannot  make  out 
the  case.  He  has,  however,  come  to  a  decision  as  to  West 
Florida,  of  which  Wade  Hampton,  now  commander-in-chief, 
has  taken  possession. 

Wilkinson  moulders  at  Washington,  and  writes,  or,  rather, 
has  written  a  book,  for  which.  I  believe,  no  printer  can  be 
found.  Duane  still  ventures,  sometimes,  a  vindicating  word  ; 
but  it  is  a  dying  word,  and,  except  on  such  an  occasion,  his 
name  is  no  more  heard. 

I  am  toiling  on  for  subsistence,  often  thinking  it  is  a  pity, 
yet  knowing  not  how  to  help  it  or  how  to  do  better.  A 
faint  hope  remains  of  seeing  again  you  and  better  days. 

Walsh  has  began  to  publish  an  American  Review.  A 
work  of  some  merit,  and  creating  sensation.  I  need  not  to 
mention  how  much  I  shall  be  gratified  to  hear  from  you,  if 
I  cannot  see  you.  E.  BOLLMAN. 

TO    JONATHAN    RUSSELL. 

Paris,  March  9,  1811. 

Mr.  Burr  asks  the  of  charge  des  affaires  a  passport  to  return 
to  the  United  States.  To  prevent  a  circuitous  proceeding, 
Mr.  Burr  takes  the  liberty  of  recalling  to  Mr.  Russell's  rec- 
ollection that  the  consul  has  declined  to  act  in  regard  to  Mr. 


OF    AARON    BURR.  155 

Burr ;  that  the  question  has  been  referred  to  Mr.  Russell, 
who  has  been  pleased  to  decide  that  Mr.  Burr  is  entitled  to 
the  passport  above  requested.  He  now  wishes  to  avail  him- 
self of  this  decision. 

THEODOSIA    TO    MR.    GALLATIN. 

Oaks  (S.  C.),  March  9,  1811. 

Though  convinced  of  your  firmness,  still  with  the  utmost 
diffidence  I  venture  to  address  you  on  a  subject  which  it  is 
almost  dangerous  to  mention,  and  which,  in  itself,  affords  me 
no  claim  on  your  attention.  Yet,  trusting  that  you  will  not 
withhold  an  opinion  deeply  interesting  to  me,  and  which  your 
present  station  enables  you  to  form  with  peculiar  correct- 
ness, I  venture  to  inquire  whether  you  suppose  that  my  fa- 
ther's return  to  this  country  would  be  productive  of  ill  con- 
sequences to  him,  or  draw  on  him  farther  prosecution  from 
any  branch  of  the  government. 

You  will  the  more  readily  forgive  me  for  taking  the  liberty 
to  make  such  a  request,  when  you  reflect  that,  retired  as  I 
am  from  the  world,  it  is  impossible  for  me  to  gather  the  gen- 
eral opinion  from  my  own  observation.  I  am,  indeed,  per- 
fectly aware  how  unexpected  will  be  this  demand  ;  that  it 
places  you  in  a  situation  of  some  delicacy ;  and  that  to  return 
a  satisfactory  answer  will  be  to  exert  liberality  and  candour; 
I  am  aware  of  all  this,  and  yet  do  not  desist. 

Recollect  what  are  my  incitements.  Recollect  that  I 
have  seen  my  father  dashed  from  the  high  rank  he  held  in 
the  minds  of  his  countrymen,  imprisoned,  and  forced  into 
exile.  Must  he  ever  remain  thus  excommunicated  from  the 
participation  of  domestic  enjoyments  and  the  privileges  of  a 
citizen  ;  aloof  from  his  accustomed  sphere,  and  singled  out 
as  a  mark  for  the  shafts  of  calumny  ?  Why  should  he  be 
thus  proscribed  and  held  up  in  execration  ?  What  benefit 
to  the  country  can  possibly  accrue  from  the  continuation  of 
this  system  ?  Surely  it  must  be  evident  to  the  worst  ene- 
mies of  my  father,  that  no  man,  situated  as  he  will  be,  could 


156  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

obtain  any  undue  influence,  even  supposing  him  desirous 
of  it. 

But  pardon  me  if  my  feeling  has  led  me  astray  from  my 
object,  which  was  not  to  enter  upon  a  discussion  with  you. 
I  seek  only  to  solicit  an  enlightened  opinion  relative  to  facts 
which  involve  my  best  hopes  of  happiness. 

Present,  if  you  please,  my  respects  to  Mrs.  Gallatin,  and 
accept  the  assurances  of  my  high  consideration. 

THEO.  BURR  ALSTON. 

FROM  B.  LANK. 

Paris,  March  25,  1811. 

I  saw  my  friend,  Mons.  Lege,  this  morning.  He  was 
good  enough  to  go  to  the  person  who  is  charged  with  the 
passports  when  they  are  sent  from  the  secretary's,  but  there 
was  not  anything  for  you.  I  then  consulted  him  upon  the 
means  which  you  ought  to  adopt  to  obtain  your  passport. 
He  was  of  opinion  with  me,  that  you  must  obtain  a  letter 
from  our  charge  d'affaires  to  the  minister  of  police.  I  ob- 
served to  him  that  this  might  be  attended  with  some  diffi- 
culty, and  that  you  would  prefer  another  channel,  if  one 
could  be  pointed  out.  He  persisted  in  his  first  opinion, 
upon  the  ground  that  General  Armstrong  had  no  doubt  taken 
steps  at  the  police  to  prevent  your  getting  a  passport ;  and 
as  his  letters  have  not  been  done  away  by  anything  poste- 
rior (except  the  passport  granted  by  Mr.  Russell),  he  did 
not  see  any  other  mode  of  acting  than  that  which  I  have  just 
mentioned.  I  observed  to  Mr.  Lege  that,  if  you  could  not 
obtain  your  passport  to  quit  France,  you  had  a  desire  to 
travel  in  the  interior.  To  this  he  replied  that  you  must  de- 
mand a  passport  ad  hoc  for  the  different  places  that  you 
wished  to  visit. 

I  am  extremely  grieved  that  it  was  not  my  good  fortune 
to  succeed.  I  need  not  add  that  it  would  have  afforded  me 
great  pleasure.  I  called  in  the  Rue  des  Petits  Augustins 


OF    AARON    BURR.  157 

.vith  a  hope  of  finding  you  there ;  and  1  wrote  this  lest  I 
should  not  have  the  pleasure  of  finding  you  at  home. 

B.  LANE. 

TO    THEODOSIA. 

Paris,  April  1,  1811 ;  or  > 
April  Fool's  Day.      ) 

No  such  epithet  is  attached  to  it  here,  nor  any  such  ap- 
plication made  of  it.  On  Mardi  gras,  indeed  (if.  from  your 
ecclesiastical  science,  you  can  discover  when  thai  is),  follies 
and  tricks  are  practised  here  similar  to  those  which  are  tol- 
erated with  us  on  this  day.  With  me  every  day  for  the  last 
eight  months  has  been  fool's-day ;  for  almost  every  day  I 
have  been  cajoled  by  some  new  device.  A  passport  is  all  I 
ask,  and  thus  far  refused.  As  usual,  however,  there  is  just 
now  a  new  source  of  hope,  not  very  animating.  But,  to  con- 
sole you,  know  that  Vanderlyn  will  sail  for  the  United  States 
some  lime  in  May.  By  him  you  shall  know  everything,  and 
by  him  you  shall  have  your  books.  In  the  mean  time  I  have 
nothing  to  tell  you  which  can  be  told  by  a  casual  opportu- 
nity. 

My  health  continues  uninterrupted.  In  fact,  I  eat  more 
and  sleep  more  than  at  any  period  of  my  life.  Whether 
this  is  increase  of  health  or  increase  of  stupidity,  you  must 
solve. 

The  only  important  event  which  has  occurred  to  me  since 
the  date  of  my  last  is  the  receipt  of  your  two  letters  of  the 
20th  of  April  and  21st  May,  1809.  Only  twenty-three 
months  old.  These  are  all  which  have  come  to  hand  since 
that  which  was  acknowledged  from  Gottenburg  in  October, 
1809.  They  nevertheless  convey  a  great  deal  of  news, 
and  I  am  quite  proud  of  the  manner  in  which  they  are  writ- 
ten. Tant  mieux,  for  they  both  came  open.  It  is  riot  worth 
while  to  reply  now  to  your  inquiries.  They  will  be  noticed 
by  Vanderlyn. 

My  last  letter,  about  six  weeks  or  two  months  ago,  an- 


158  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

nounced  a  parcel  containing  a  few  plays,  but  the  person  who 
took  charge  of  the  letter  could  not  (would  not)  take  charge 
of  the  parcel.  Doubtless  you  have  scolded  enough  about  it, 
and  denounced  the  infidelity  of  your  New-York  friends. 

•  A.  BURR. 

TO    JONATHAN    RUSSELL. 

Paris,  April  23,  1811. 

It  is  with  regret  that  Mr.  Burr  finds  himself  obliged  to 
trouble  Mr.  Russell  for  another  passport.  The  loss  of  the 
former,  and  the  manner  of  it,  will  be  disclosed  and  verified 
to  the  satisfaction  of  Mr.  Russell  by  the  certificate  which 
will  herewith  be  shown  to  him.  This  application  is  in  pur- 
suance of  the  advice  of  the  respective  chefs  des  bureaux, 
with  one  of  whom  the  negligence  has  happened. 

It  is  requested  that  the  place  of  embarcation  may  either 
be  left  blank,  or  that  Dunkirk  and  L'Orient  may  be  added  to 
Bourdeaux  and  Bayonne. 

FROM    THEODOSIA. 

Oaks  (S.  C.),  May  10, 1811. 

This  morning,  and  not  until  this  morning,  did  I  receive 
your  letter  of  the  10th  of  January,  1811.  In  this  way  has 
our  correspondence  been  maintained  for  the  last  two  years. 
Now  I  hear  that  you  are  coming  immediately  ;  and  while 
wondering  that  you  have  not  arrived,  I  learn  that  you  will 
be  detained  much  longer.  Then  my  hopes  are  again  awa- 
kened, and,  when  again  almost  exhausted,  they  light  up  with 
a  stronger,  though  a  trembling  brilliancy.  The  icy  hand 
of  disappointment  falls  upon  my  heart  to  smother  every 
spark.  Do  not  frown  at  these  complaints.  You  do  not. 
I  will  not  believe  that  you  do.  Your  image,  kind  and  in- 
dulgent, is  my  guardian  angel.  From  how  many  follies, 
how  many  faults,  does  it  preserve  me.  It  was  accorded  to 
me  as  a  talisman,  to  cheer  my  prospects,  to  strengthen  my 
resolutions,  and  incite  me  to  noble  efforts. 


OF    AARON    BURR.  159 

The  refusal  of  your  passports  by  the  agent  of  our  gov- 
ernment is  a  most  overbearing  and  insulting  outrage  upon 
the  common  rights  of  a  citizen.  Who  erected  an  American 
charge  d'affaires  into  a  supreme  judge  ?  Who  invested  him 
with  the  most  important  prerogatives  ? 

I  have  written  to  Luther  Martin,  but  have  received  no 
answer.  I  shall  write  again  forthwith.  Surely  my  letter 
must  have  miscarried.  I  have  immutable  faith  in  the  strength 
and  sincerity  of  his  attachment  to  you.  You,  perhaps,  have 
not  heard  that  Robert  Smith  is  removed  from  office,  and 
Munro  created  secretary  of  state  in  his  stead. 

The  removal  of  Eustis  is  expected,  according  to  our 
newspapers.  A  late  paper  mentioned  that  the  postmaster- 
general  was  soon  to  yield  his  office  to  a  steady  friend  of  A. 
Burr.  Who  that  friend  is,  or  whether  there  is  any  truth  in 
the  assertion,  I  cannot  tell. 

The  corn-doctor  is  afraid  to  correspond  with  me.  He  was 
sven  very  neglectful  in  giving  his  advice.  'Tis  said  he 
trembles  at  the  great  name  more  than  any  pious  Hebrew 
ever  did  at  the  consecrated  and  mysterious  title  they  had 
for  the  Deity. 

I  have  frequently  mentioned  the  fate  of  my  letter  to  85- 
87.  There  is  evidently  no  hope  from  that  quarter.  If  the 
mind  is  negative,  of  which  there  is  no  assurance,  it  may  be 
directed  to  anything  by  those  nearest,  most  in  confidence, 
and  most  prominent  in  business.  I  say  come ;  land  in  New- 
York.  This  advice  is  disinterested  on  my  part.  But  I  am 
incapable  of  the  affection  which  would  sacrifice  its  object 
to  any  selfish  gratification.  I  would,  therefore,  oppose  the 
plan  of  embarking  for  South  Carolina.  Nothing  can  be 
done  here.  Your  arrival  will  be  known.  The  news  of  it 
will  reach  New- York  long  before  you.  The  fervency  of 
surprise  and  delighted  friendship  will  have  time  to  cool, 
cabals  to  be  formed,  and  measures  to  be  taken.  Go  to  New- 
York.  Make  your  stand  there.  If  you  are  attacked,  you 
wi'l  be  in  the  midst  of  the  tenth  legion.  Civil  debts  may 


160  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

be  procrastinated,  for  a  time,  by  confinement  to  the  limits. 
There  you  can  take  breath  ;  openly  see  your  friends  ; 
make  your  arrangements  ;  and  soon,  I  think,  you  will  be  able 
to  throw  off  those  momentary  shackles,  and  resume  your 
station. 

I  confess  I  augur  ill  of  government,  principally  because 
the  newspapers  most  devoted  to  it  endeavour  to  keep  up 
feelings  of  irritation  against  you.  But  I  believe  differently 
of  the  citizens  generally.  At  all  events,  it  is  better  to  brave 
any  storm  than  to  be  leading  your  present  life.  It  is  better 
that  things  should  be  brought  to  a  crisis  you  cannot  entirely 
sink  under ;  and,  the  worst  once  over,  you  will  be  free  from 
all  restraint.  You  may  be  situated  as  formerly.  It  cannot 
injure  you  more  than  this  long-continued  threat.  If  the 
worst  comes,  I  will  leave  everything  to  suffer  with  you. 
Should  you  determine  on  this  plan,  give  it  a  fair  trial.  I 
repeat  it,  nothing  can  be  done  for  you  here,  in  South  Caro- 
lina. To  land  here  might  ruin  all. 

Would  you  believe  it,  Blennerhassett  has  written  the  most 
insulting  letter  to  my  husband.  In  this  letter  he  accuses 
you  and  him  of  plans  which  never  entered  the  heads  of 
either;  and  says  that,  unless  Mr.  Alston  pays  him  thirty- 
five  thousand  five  hundred  dollars,  of  which,  to  use  his 
own  phrase,  he  demands  fifteen  thousand  by  August ;  un- 
less these  sums  are  paid,  he  (Blennerhasset)  will  publish  a 
pamphlet  containing  documents  which  must  ruin  him  (Mr. 
Alston)  for  ever.  He  concludes  by  saying  that  his  work  is 
ready  for  publication,  and  adds — 

"  If  you  do  not  prevent  its  appearance,  you  may  rest  as- 
sured I  shall  not,  to  save  the  trouble  of  smelting,  abandon 
the  ore  I  have  with  such  expense  of  time  and  labour  ex- 
tracted from  the  mines  both  dark  and  deep,  not  indeed  of 
Mexico,  but  of  Alston,  Jefferson,  and  Burr.  Having  men- 
tioned Mr.  Burr,  I  wish  you  to  observe  that  I  have  long 
since  ceased  to  consider  reference  to  his  honour,  resources, 


OF    AARON    BORR.  161 

or  good  faith  in  any  other  light  than  as  a  scandal  to  any 
man  offering  it  who  is  not  sunk  as  low  as  himself,"  &c.,  &c. 

His  language  to  Mr.  Alston  is  in  the  same  style.  Such, 
in  short,  as  a  low-bred  coward  may  use  at  the  distance  of 
many  hundred  miles.  Did  you  ever  hear  of  such  an  au- 
dacious swindling  trick  ?  Mr.  Alston  has  not  deigned  to 
answer  him.  Thus  we  are  to  have  a  new  scene,  which  will 
make  great  noise,  and  end  in  the  confusion  of  the  author. 
The  debt  you  had  contracted  is  paid. 

I  have  nothing  of  interesting  import  to  tell  you  of  our- 
selves. We  go  on  as  formerly ;  the  family  make  me  endure 
frequent  vexations,  but  my  husband  is  not  to  be  swayed  by 
their  machinations,  or  moved  by  their  endeavours  to  per- 
suade him  that,  the  more  dear  he  is,  the  more  hateful  must 
I  be ;  I,  who  have  occasioned  him  so  many  hours  of  pain. 
This  is  not  directly  and  openly  expressed,  but  often  insinu- 
ated. He  is  kind,  attentive,  and  considerate  towards  me. 
My  health  is  good ;  it  would  be  very  good  if  my  mind  were 
at  ease.  But  cares  corrode  my  heart  and  undermine  my 
constitution,  although  my  spirits  are  apparently  excellent. 

We  have  purchased  a  farm  in  Grenville,  where  we  are 
building,  and  where  I  spent  the  last  summer.  Our  house 
is  comfortable,  and  the  situation  pretty.  But,  now  that  we 
are  located  there,  we  begin  to  think  that  Burr's  education 
cannot  be  properly  pursued  in  such  entire  seclusion.  We 
have  procured  a  private  tutor,  and  my  son  makes  good  prog- 
ress, but  at  times  he  is  seized  with  a  singular  kind  of  torpor  ; 
a  heavy  listlessness,  which  it  is  impossible  to  remove,  be- 
cause every  weapon  strikes  without  effect,  and  becomes 
incapable  of  producing  any  sensation.  These  fits  do  not 
last  above  a  day  at  a  time  ;  and,  as  he  is  naturally  lively,  I 
can  attribute  them  to  nothing  but  seclusion.  He  needs 
companions  to  excite  emulation  in  labour  and  hilarity  at 
play.  I  am  glad  you  intend  sending  him  a  little  present. 
L.  P.  neglects  him  entirely.  Adieu.  Heaven  guide  your 
steps  and  direct  your  plans.  Adieu.  THEODOSIA. 


162  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 


JOURNAL. 

Arras,  May  14,  1811.  A  neat  town.  Little  doing.  The 
houses  at  the  entrance  and  going  out  of  mud  or  clay,  with 
thatched  roofs,  very  low.  The  hamlets  or  villages  through 
are  all  thus  built.  The  town  is  brick,  generally  one  story. 

At  three  leagues  from  Arras  you  open  on  an  extensive 
plain.  All  cultivated.  Very  few  trees.  No  fences,  or 
'hedges,  or  walls.  This  plain  continues  without  a  sensible 
elevation  to  Lille,  where  we  arrived  at  seven  P.  M.  Tar- 
ragon or  Arragon  and  wife  parted  from  us  here.  The  sour 
old  man  left  us  at  Arras.  A  smart  young  Flemish  militaire 
got  in  at  Arras,  and  came  thus  far.  The  Flemish  jeweller 
and  the  young  horseman  go  on,  but  I  believe  we  shall  go  in 
separate  carriages.  Nothing  lost.  The  country  is  in  high 
cultivation  and  fertile  since  coming  on  this  plain.  Passed 
a  canal  about  four  leagues  back.  Intended  going  to  the 
theatre  this  evening ;  but  my  medicine  of  yesterday,  which 
was  very  severe,  and  the  jolting,  to  which  I  am  not  yet  ac- 
customed, have  disposed  me  for  bed.  Had  tea,  which  is  my 
supper,  and  then  took  half  an  hour's  stroll  about  the  town. 
At  nine  to  bed. 

Gaud,  May  15,  1811.  We  have  been  steadily  employed, 
from  six  this  morning  till  seven  this  evening,  in  making 
about  thirty-eight  miles  (the  distance  from  Lille  to  Gaud) 
on  a  fine  level  road,  a  temperate  day ;  six  horses,  with  three 
relays,  to  draw  six  persons.  At  two  leagues  from  Lille  took 
breakfast,  coffee,  bread,  and  butter,  fifteen  sous.  (For  the 
like  breakfast  at  Arras  paid  yesterday  thirty-six  sous.)  After 
two  leagues  from  Lille  everything  is  Flemish.  The  lan- 
guage, the  people,  the  manners.  The  contrast  in  point  of 
neatness  is  most  striking. 

Took  milk  after  breakfast  on  the  way,  four  sous.  Made 
supper.  The  bill,  a  pint  of  Rhenish  wine  included,  four 
francs  ;  bed,  one  franc  seven  sons.  A  large  handsome  town, 
very  neat.  The  canal  sufficiently  large  for  sloops. 


OF    AARON    BURR.  163 

The  long  black  cloaks,  and  very  full,  gives  a  matronly 
appearance  to  girls  of  fourteen.     The  cloaks  of  the  young 
are  generally  calico.     Sent  note  to  Spruyt,  but  he  was  out. 
As  the  diligence  went  off  at  nine  this  evening,  and  would 
be  twelve  hours  in  going  to  Anvers,  eleven  leagues,  one  of 
my  fellow-travellers  and  myself  have  taken  a  cabriole  for 
four  in  the  morning,  at  one  louis,  which  is  forty  sous  each, 
more  than  the  diligence  fare.     Have  had  my  bed  warmed 
to  the  great  surprise  of  the  Gaudeans,  and  at  eleven  turn  in. 
Anvers,  May  16.  The  women  of  St.  Nicolas  have  fine 
teeth  and  fine  complexions.     The  soil  from  Gaud  to  An- 
vers generally  sandy  and  meager.     Few  trees ;  none  of  fruit 
till  within  two  leagues  of  Anvers.     At  the  fair  at  St.  Nicolas 
was  amused  with  a  little  girl  of  about  ten  years  old  on  horse- 
back, en  cavalier,  selling  needles  and  pins.     Her  wares  were 
in  pockets,  like  pistol-holsters,  on  each  side  the  pommel. 
She  sat  with  great  ease,  is  pretty  and  well  made,  surrounded 
by  customers,  whom  she    served ;   received   and  changed 
money  with  wonderful  dexterity. 

The  soil  sandy  ;  till  within  about  two  miles  of  the  Scheldt 
(Escaut),  you  descend  a  very  little  on  to  an  extensive 
meadow,  Anvers  full  in  front.  The  majestic  turret  (steeple) 
of  Notre  Dame  is  an  elegant  and  imposing  object.  On  this 
plain  not  a  tree  or  shrub ;  and  here,  in  opposition  to  Anvers, 
is  now  laying  out  a  new  city.  We  left  our  cabriole,  and 
were  put  across  the  river,  about  one  mile  and  a  half  wide, 
without  delay.  Parted  with  my  companion  and  came  to  the 
"  Laboureur,"  the  host  speaking  English.  No  questions  had 
been  asked  me  about  passport.  Dined  in  my  room,  eel, 
salmon,  carp  (a  sort  of  flounder),  and  potatoes,  with  a  bottle 
of  Rhenish. 

Went  to  the  diligence-office  and  paid  thirty-six  francs  for 
passage  to  Amsterdam;  to  start  at  four  to-morrow  morning. 
Went  to  the  bureau  of  passports ;  got  mine  vised  without 
delay,  or  cost,  or  question.  Walked  an  hour  about  the  town. 
The  domino  or  capuchin  cloak  is  still  the  mode.  It  must  be 


164  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

a  residue  of  Spanish  manners.  Had  thought  of  going  to  the 
theatre,  but  deemed  it  more  important  to  take  my  tea,  write 
you  this,  and  go  to  sleep.  Now  nine  o'clock. 

Rotterdam,  May  18,  1811.  The  diligence  left  Anvers 
this  morning  as  the  clock  struck  four.  There  being  much 
baggage,  and  more  persons  than  the  coach  would  hold,  a  cur- 
ricle was  provided,  in  which  I  rode  with  a  French  captain, 
his  wife,  German,  with  three  children,  a  boy  and  two  very 
beautiful  and  lovely  girls,  eight  and  nine  years  old.  The 
lady  is  sensible  and  well  bred.  The  children  presently  at- 
tached themselves  to  me.  We  drove  rapidly,  and  at  five 
P.  M.  were  at  Williamstadt,  where  we  left  our  French  cap- 
tain and  his  family,  of  whom  I  did  not  take  leave,  being  hur- 
ried into  the  boat  by  the  joint  efforts  of  the  boatman  and  Ma- 
dame D.,  the  only  remaining  compagnon  de  voyage. 

But,  before  noticing  the  events  at  Rotterdam,  let  us  go 
back  to  Anvers.     The  places  in  the  diligence  are  numbered, 
and,  on  paying  your  passage,  you  receive  a  certificate  speci- 
fying the  number  of  your  seat.     I  had  No.  2;  Madame  D«, 
also  for  Amsterdam,  had  No.  1.     At  the  moment  of  leav- 
ing Anvers,  a  fat,  well-dressed,  ill-looking  Flemman  took 
possession  of  my  seat  in  the  diligence,  and  I  was  thrown  out 
into  the  curricle.     The  morning  chilly,  and  my  surtout  not 
come-at-able.     At  the  first  stop,  Madame  D.  asked  me  if  I 
were  not  the  person  who  had  taken  a  seat  for  Amsterdam. 
Yes.     "  Well,  why  don't  you  claim  your  place  ?"     "  Ma- 
dame, I  never  enter  into  altercations  about  trifles ;  yet  I  am 
not  satisfied  with  such  presumption."     Nevertheless,  I  was 
so  charmed  with  my  little  companions  that  I  continued  in 
the  curricle.     At  the  second  relay  madame  renewed  her  re- 
monstrances.    I  determined  to  assert  my  rights.     I  took  the 
seat  in  the  diligence  by  the  side  of  Madame  D.     The  Flem- 
man came  to  claim  his  place.     I  informed  him  that  it  was 
my  seat,  and  should  not  surrender  it.     The  coachman  was 
called,  and  he  desired  me  to  go  to  the  curricle.     I  refused, 


OF    AARON    BURR.  165 

ami  asked  him  to  look  at  his  register.     Thi  Flemman,  per- 
ceiving that  I  was  not  very  docile,  retired  to  the  curricle. 

During  this  stop  one  of  the  little  girls  turnlled  out.  of  the 
curricle,  jumped  up,  laughing,  and  got  in  again,  without  hav- 
ing sustained  the  slightest  injury.  I  took  two  breakfasts  of 
coffee,  bread  and  butter,  this  morning,  which  cost  me  about 
twenty-five  sous  each.  At  Bergen-op-Zoom  (how  I  hate 
garrisoned  towns)  the  hostess  refused  to  give  us  anything, 
lest  it  might  delay  the  diligence.  Had  like  to  have  gone 
off  with  two  of  the  captain's  children,  and  without  father  or 
mother. 

At  Williamstadt  the  captain  and  his  family  remained.  The 
Flemman  and  two  others  we  had  left  at  Bergen-op-Zoom, 
so  that  the  last  stage  Madame  D.  and  I  were  tete-a-tete. 
Mad.  D.  is  about  twenty-two,  the  wife  of  a  c.  d.  noble,  who  en- 
joys a  place  of  some  consequence  under  the  present  govern- 
ment. She  may  be  described  in  one  line — the  very  image 
of  Caroline  Senat,  and  from  the  same  quarter,  Gascoin,  per- 
haps two  inches  taller  than  Caroline  promised  to  be.  The 
hair,  the  complexion,  the  eyes,  the  form,  the  physiognomy, 
the  wit.  From  Williamstadt  the  ferry  is  about  three  miles. 
Then  across  two  islands,  about  four  leagues ;  a  third  ferry 
landed  us  at  Rotterdam. 

On  landing,  the  directeur  des  diligences,  who  was  on  the 
wharf  to  receive  us,  told  us  a  carriage  would  be  ready  in  five 
minutes ;  but  that,  if  we  preferred  to  pass  the  night  at  Rot- 
terdam, another  carriage  would  go  at  seven  in  the  morning. 
I  referred  it  to  madame  to  decide.  After  a  little  hesitation, 
she  resolved  to  stay.  The  directeur  showed  us  into  the  tav- 
ern ;  but,  as  not  a  person  in  the  house  could  speak  either 
French  or  English,  we  determined  to  go  to  one  for  which  I 
had  a  written  recommendation  from  De  Veer.  Went  to  Mr. 
Annakie's.  He  expressed  great  regret  that  he  could  not  re- 
ceive us,  but  he  had  not  a  single  vacant  bed.  He  recom- 
mended to  us  another,  to  which  we  drove  and  were  received. 
The  sign,  a  boar's  head,  supported  by  two  cupids  in  bas-re- 


166  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

lief.  We  were  shown  into  a  very  large,  elegant  room,  with 
two  beds,  one  at  each  end.  I  remarked  that  we  wanted 
another  chamber.  There  was  no  other. 

Had  breakfast  at  six.  Was  sitting  in  the  parlour  below, 
reading  a  newspaper.  Received  a  smart  click  on  the  head. 
It  was  Madame  D.  It  was  raining.  I  ordered  a  coach, 
and  drove  to  the  diligence,  and  off. 

Last  evening,  there  being  yet  an  hour  of  sun,  we  walked 
through  the  town  (Rotterdam),  which  is  about  as  large  as 
New- York  was  when  you  were  married  !  It  is  very  beauti- 
ful, neat,  well-built,  everywhere  rows  of  trees  on  each  side 
canals  of  running  water,  and  in  different  places  large  basins, 
for  the  reception  of  vessels  of  all  sizes. 

We  had  an  open  curricle,  there  being  no  other  passenger. 
Appearance  of  industry.  High  cultivation.  Not  a  single 
house  in  ruins  or  denoting  misery.  The  road  lined  with 
trees,  and  always,  on  one  or  both  sides,  a  canal.  Passed 
through  two  villages  before  arriving  at  Gonda.  One  of  them 
a  small  town  of  such  neatness  as  you  can  form  no  idea  of. 
You  might  sit  down  or  lay  down  in  any  part  of  any  street 
without  danger  of  soiling  your  clothes.  All  paved  with 
small,  yellow  brick,  set  edgeways.  At  Gonda  had  time  to 
visit  the  church  remarkable  for  the  painted  glass  windows. 
Bought  for  you  a  description.  I  have  inquired  of  all  my 
acquaintance,  but  can  get  no  account  of  la  Pucelle  de  Dor- 
trecht,  in  whose  honour  is  one  of  the  windows. 

At  eleven  A.  M.  we  embarked  in  the  Tracht  Schuyt. 
Hired  the  after  cabin  for  our  use,  seven  francs.  There  were 
in  the  common  cabin  about  twenty  passengers.  We  are 
drawn  by  one  horse,  who  goes  usually  on  a  small  trot,  at 
the  rate  of  nearly  five  miles  an  hour.  The  boat  is  extremely 
neat  and  well-contrived.  You  will  see  by  the  map  the  towns 
through  which  we  passed.  Breakfast  at  Gonda,  for  two,  four 
francs  ten  sous.  Wine,  &c.,  to  take  on  board,  five  francs 
fifteen  sous. 

A  French  gentleman,  bearing  a  badge  of  knighthood  or  hon- 


OF    AARON    BURR.  167 

our,  asked  to  be  received  into  our  cabin,  which  I  refused.  Af- 
terward Madame  D.  said  it  was  more  prudent  to- receive  him. 
I  invited  him  in  her  name.  The  scenery  is  constantly  varied 
by  cultivation,  and  by  the  towns  and  villages  through  which 
you  pass.  Everywhere  houses;  all  perfectly  neat.  Arrived 
at  Amsterdam  at  seven,  and  went  with  madame  to  the  hotel 
to  which  she  was  directed.  I  have  never  been  able  to  teach 
ma  belle  to  say  Amsterdam.  She  will  have  it  Mzsterdam, 
or  something  near  it. 

Amsterdam,  May  19,  1811.  At  eight  sor.  to  hunt  a  map 
or  plan  of  the  city.  Madame  accompanies  me.  Did  not 
get  a  map,  but  got  a  hat  and  other  things  to  the  amount  of 
sixty  five  francs.  At  ten  called  on  Mr.  Pluym.  Received 
civilly.  Talked  of  my  business.  He  went  with  me  to  the 
house  of  Valkenaer,  to  see  Vanderhoeval  and  Mr.  Francois, 
whom  saw.  Was  courteously  received.  Mr.  Francois  asked 
me  to  dine  to-day,  which  declined,  being  engaged  with  Ma- 
dame D.,  but  agreed  for  to-morrow.  Home.  During  my 
absence  madame  had  engaged  a  passage  for  herself  to  em- 
bark at  seven  this  evening.  Got  our  dinner ;  a  very  good 
one.  Paid  our  bill,  thirty-five  francs.  To  domestics,  four; 
carriage,  five ;  sundries  for  the  passage,  nine ;  total,  thirty- 
five  francs.  Put  all  our  baggage  in  the  coach,  and,  after 
seeing  madame  on  board,  drove  to  my  new  lodgings,  M. 
Van  Ham.  Found  there  Vanderhoeval  waiting  for  me. 
Am  much  pleased  with  the  good  humour  of  my  host  and 
his  children. 

In  my  walk  to-day  with  madame,  went  into  two  or  three 
churches ;  all  Protestant,  and  as  simple  as  ours.  Mr.  Van- 
derhoeval and  I  took  a  stroll.  Then  called  on  Mr.  Fran- 
qois,  who  walked  with  us  till  I  was  quite  tired. 

20.  Called  on  Pluym  at  eight.  He  sent  a  commissionaire 
with  me  to  Zilver,  successor  of  Nakuy's,  but  the  papers  of 
which  I  was  in  search  have,  since  the  death  of  Nakuy's, 
been  deposited  in  some  public  office.  To  Valkenaer's,  where 
took  up  V.  D.  H.,  and  we  strolled  about  the  town  till  three, 

VOL.  II.  11 


168  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

when  I  came  home  to  dress.  At.  five  to  dine  with  Mr.  Fran- 
cois. She  is  modest,  sensible,  moderately  cheerful,  polite, 
a  good  form,  and  interesting  countenance.  We  were  quits 
at  ease,  it  being  understood  that  I  am  in  confidence.  Off 
at  eight. 

21.  To  Pluym's  at  nine.     Out.    Then  to  VanderhoevaPs, 
and  we  walked  to  Zilyer's,  who  recommended  me  to  call  on 
Studniski  and  Van  Hekelonn  for  the  information  I  required. 
We  strolled  about  the  town,  and  drank  gin,  and  stared  at 
strange  things. 

At  six  to  Pluym's,  where  dined  en  famille  ;  roast  beef, 
with  various  vegetables  ;  among  them  green  pease  which  had 
grown  in  the  open  air.  Asparagus  has  been  for  some  days 
in  abundance.  Remember  that  we  are  north  of  the  52d  de- 
gree of  latitude.  Mr.  Vanderhoeval  and  Mr. 'Francois  came 
after  dinner,  and  then  two  young  ladies ;  one  of  them  very 
handsome,  but  speaking  only  Hollandois.  Off  at  eight. 

22.  To   Pluym's  at  eight.     Note,  he   is  distent  half  a 
league.     I  breakfasted  at  seven.     Passed  half  an  hour  talk 
ing   of  Holland    Company   affair.      Then   to    Valkenaer's. 
Took  Vanderhoeval  .with  me  to  Studniski  and  Van  Heke- 
lonn's.     After  waiting  quarter  of  an  hour,  one  came   who 
announced  himself  as  Mr.  Van  Hekelonn.     Without  giving 
him  my  name,  I  showed  him  one  of  the  Holland  Company's 
obligations,  and,  as  a  proprietor,  claimed  the  right  of  being 
informed,  &c.     Asked   him  several   questions.     He   could 
reply  to   nothing  without  consulting   the  trustees,  and   to- 
morrow being  holyday,  it  might  be  several  days  before  he 
could  have  their  advice.     He  begged  my  questions  in  wri- 
ting, which  was  what   I  wished.     Left   him  my  address. 
Strolled  with  Vanderhoeval  two  or  three  hours.     We  parted, 
and  I  took  my  host  to  show  me  to  the  Plautatic  ;  a  charming 
quarter.     All  houses  and  gardens  of  amusement.     Sent  off 
my  host  and  went  to  the  bath,  where,  after  bathing  an  hour, 
took   coffee.     Bath,  coffee,  and   domestic,   six    francs.     A 
stuyon  is  a  little  more  than  two  sous  of  France,  and  you  pay 


OF    AARON    BURR.  169 

here  in  stuyons  as  much  as  of  sons  in  Paris.  By  way  of 
deception,  they  say  thirty  sous,  meaning  stuyons,  about 
sixty-three  sous  of  France.  Home  at  seven. 

In  our  walk  to-day,  Vanderhoeval  took  me  to  see  some 
ladies  of  his  acquaintance.  Seltzer  water  is  the  only  cheap 
thing.  I  drink  a  bottle  a  day,  six  sous ;  meaning  thirteen 
sous  of  France.  This  afternoon  sent  messenger  with  a  note 
enclosing  my  queries  to  Van  Hekelonn.  This  being  Garn- 
py's  birthday,  I  celebrate  it,  and  drink  his  health  in  a  whole 
bottle. 

Mai/  23.  At'  eight  to  Pluyrn's.  He  had  convened,  last 
evening,  a  few  of  the  Holland  Company  proprietors,  who 
were  discontent  with  the  administration  of  the  trustees  and 
directors.  I  then  related  my  interview  with  Van  Hekelonn. 
To  Valkenaer\s.  Took  up  V.  D.  H.,  and  we  strolled. 
Went  into  the  Persian  Church.  The  only  Persians  were 
the  three  performers,  magnificently  dressed,  that  is,  all  over 
gilt  and  embroidered.  They  were  singing  very  loud  and  in 
the  most  horrible  discord.  If  God  be  fond  of  music,  he 
would  not  be  propitiated  by  this.  The  three  actors  had  their 
faces  turned  to  the  altar,  where  were  burning  seven  tall  wax 
candles. 

Called  at  a  rendezvous  of  Americans.  Saw  only  Captain 
Combes,  a  New-England  man,  whose  vessel  has  been  con- 
fiscated and  bought  in,  and  yet  he  cannot  get  leave  to  de 
part.  Dined  at  home.  Had  a  bottle  of  wine.  The  twelve 
sous  wine  of  Paris  is  here  at  three  francs,  which  is  unrea- 
sonable, the  transportation  being  not  more  than  six  sous  the 
bottle. 

This  is  high  holyday.  All  the  churches  open.  The  street 
amusement  is  dancing,  jumping  the  rope,  at  which  they  are 
wonderfully  expert. 

24.  Took  my  host  to  hunt  American  vessels.  There  is 
not  one  except  Combes's,  who  will  be  obliged  to  sell  his  ship 
and  get  home  as  he  can.  To  Van  Hekelonn's.  A  recep- 
tion the  most  froid — "Sir,  I  can't  answer  you  anything." 


170  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

I  did,  however,  get  from  him  the  number  of  actions  which 
have  been  bought  in ;  a  very  important  fact  for  me.  Then 
to  Pluym's.  Talked  over  our  Holland  Company  affair  an 
hour.  Yesterday  deposited  with  him  7000  francs  to  lay  out 
in  Holland  Company  actions. 

To  Valkenaer's.  Met  at  the  door  Mr.  Pluym,  Mr.  Fran- 
cois, and  Mr.  Vanderhoeval ;  with  the  two  latter  walked  a 
little  way.  Then  took  a  stroll  to  hunt  a  dinner.  Though 
there  are  many  hundreds  of  eating-houses  here,  could  not 
find  one.  Came  home.  Took  my  host  for  pilot,  and  got  a 
good  dinner  of  fish  and  potatoes,  with  a  bottle  of  common 
wine,  six  francs  twelve  sous.  More  than  double  what  I 
should  have  paid  in  Paris.  Home. 

At  seven  V.  D.  H.  and  Frai)9ois  called  at  my  lodgings, 
and  we  walked  together  till  eight.  On  the  way,  V.  D.  H. 
took  us  a  circuit.  Home  at  nine  and  took  tea. 

27.  Embarked  at  Amsterdam  for  Hardywycke  at  eight  P. 
M.  The  passage  is  about  fifty  miles.  Wind  ahead.  A 
very  pretty  cabin,  with  large  stateroom,  and  two  large  beds, 
neatly  furnished,  for  fifty-six  stuyons,  about  six  francs. 
Ceded  a  bed  to  a  respectable  old  man.  Arrived  at  Hardy- 
wycke at  seven  A.  M.  Paid  for  sundries  on  board  the 
packet,  six  francs.  Got  breakfast,  and  at  eight  was  in  the 
diligence  ;  a  Dutch  wagon  without  springs.  Five  habitans 
fellow-passengers.  From  Hardywycke,  very  gently  ascend- 
ing through  sand  one  half  hour;  then  an  open  barren  plain. 
No  tree,  nor  house,  nor  cultivation.  Two  hours  from  Har- 
dywycke, the  chateau  of  Westerfelt,  and  three  or  four  houses 
in  the  vicinity.  Then  one  hour  of  barren  heath  to  the  vil- 
lage Elspilt.  Neat,  comfortable  houses  and  gardens.  Then 
one  hour  barren  heath  to  a  few  scattered  houses.  Assailed 
by  hosts  of  beggar  children.  Barren  plain  half  an  hour  to  the 
plantations  about  the  palace  of  Loo ;  formerly  the  favourite 
hunting-ground  of  the  Prince  of  Orange ;  afterward  of 
King  Joseph  ;  now  the  property  of  the  emperor,  but  unin- 
habited, except  by  servants.  The  palace,  a  square  brick 


OF    AARON    BURR.  171 

building .  nothing  striking.  Observe  that  the  plain  de- 
scends, in  the  rear  of  the  palace,  soulhwestward.  About 
eight  miles  of  naked  heath  brought  us  to  the  village  of  Ap- 
peldoorn.  Many  handsome  houses  and  gardens,  and  hence 
to  Deventer,  about  three  hours,  continued  culture  and  good- 
looking  gardens,  having  the  air  of  ease  and  comfort.  Ap- 
proaching Deventer,  you  ride  on  the  bank  made  to  keep  out 
the  Issel.  This,  being  raised  ten  or  fifteen  feet,  gives  a  fine 
view  of  extensive  plains  under  fine  culture.  Pass  a  wooden 
bridge,  built  on  boats  anchored  in  the  river.  A  fortified 
town  without  the  wall.  A  park  of  large  trees,  perhaps  fifty 
acres.  The  conscripts  were  in  squads,  training.  A  very 
handsome  piumenade.  The  Cathedral  is  one  of  the  largest. 
I  think  more  than  four  hundred  feet  long. 

28.  My  direct  route  is  through  Osnaburgh.  No  diligence, 
or  public  conveyance  of  any  kind,  goes  hence  on  that  route 
before  Friday  afternoon.  A  dire  dilemma.  Posthorses  cost 
about  six  francs  a  German  mile.  Had  serious  thoughts  of 
abandoning  the  journey  arid  returning  to  Amsterdam.  This 
morning  have  found  that  the  courier  (the  poste  aux  letters) 
goes  to-day  by  Bremen,  about  twenty-five  miles  out  of  my 
way,  and  in  an  open  chair  (curricle) ;  have  resolved  to  take 
nis  course,  and  we  go  all  night.  My  hostess  (a  la  Lune) 
is  the  kindest  soul ;  has  taken  as  much  trouble  to  provide 
me  the  means  of  getting  off  as  if  it  were  hen  interest. 

Have  walked  through  the  market ;  strawberries.  Among 
two  hundred  women,  not  one  comely  ;  but  two  handsome  in 
this  house.  At  the  village,  also,  two  gardeneresses,  well 
dressed,  very  tall,  very  fair,  very  comely.  The  Cathedral 
bells  chime  every  quarter  of  an  hour,  and  a  grand  chime 
every  hour,  besides  occasional  ones.  A  perpetual  jingle. 

Lingen,  May  30,  1811.  Left  Deventer  at  eleven  with  the 
courier,  in  a  cart  drawn  by  two  horses.  On  the  way  took 
up  two  more  passengers.  Paid  twenty-six  francs  for  a  pas- 
sage to  Lingen,  nineteen  leagues.  Arrived  here  at  half  past, 
two  in  the  morning.  Were  three  hours  coming  the  last  three 


172  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

leagues.  Rain,  tempest  of  wind,  very  dark.  Overset; 
bruised  my  arm,  but  not  materially. 

On  the  way  learned  the  vexatious  fact,  which  the  very  polite 
postmaster,  or  his  commissaire  at  Deventer,  had  concealed 
from  me,  viz.,  that  the  mail  goes  forward  from  this  place  on 
horseback ;  so  that  I  am  left  here  to  provide  ways  and  means, 
having  come  about  eight  leagues  out,  of  my  way.  Fortu- 
nately, my  host  proved  to  be  a  most  complaisant,  good- 
natured  man. 

Osnaburgh,  May  31.  Left  Osnaburgh  in  post  extraor- 
dinary, i.  e.,  a  phaeton  and  two  horses.  You  cannot  have 
less  than  two  horses.  Hilly  to  Oslercappel ;  then  a  plain  to 
Bohmte  (where  this  is  written),  a  town  on  a  side  hill,  in  a  hilly, 
cultivated  country.  Arrived  at  half  past  twelve.  The  dis- 
tance paid  for  is  three  miles  or  six  leagues,  being  in  fact  about 
four  leagues.  Slept  half  the  way.  This  is  the  best  place 
in  Osnaburgh.  We  now  enter  Hanover.  Through  the  Os- 
naburgh territory,  on  the  roadside  crosses  with  inscriptions. 
Also,  inscriptions  on  most  of  the  houses.  At  Osnaburgh  the 
women  handsome.  The  paysannes  of  all  ages  wear  red  pet- 
ticoats ;  the  large  hat  or  cap,  with  broad  flowing  border. 

At  Lemfurde,  called  four  leagues,  in  fact  about  six  miles, 
paid  for  horse  and  carriage  fifty-two  groshen.  To  vvach- 
mister,  a  fellow  who  is  supposed  to  look  on  while  the  horses 
are  harnessing,  (our  groshen.  To  Lemfurde  the  country  is 
champaign,  and  the  greater  part  through  a  barren.  Had  a 
distant  view  of  the  lake,  which  is  about  five  miles  long  and 
two  wide,  abounding  in  fish,  as  is  said.  From  Lemfurde  to 
Dieppolz,  four  leagues.  The  country  still  flat,  but  of  a 
totally  different  character.  The  whole  way  cultivated.  We 
pass  within  a  mile  of  the  lake ;  on  the  other  (west)  side  of 
which  the  land  appears  a  little  higher.  Lemfurde  is  a 
wretched-looking  town.  One  long,  narrow,  ill-paved  street; 
a  long  canal  of  stagnant  water ;  but  on  the  other  side  of  that 
canal  is  a  large  house,  gardens,  park,  walks,  &c.  Formerly 


OF  AARON    BURR.  173 

George  III.,  now  General  Bertrand,  by  gift  of  the  emperor. 
At  present  occupied  by  le  juge  de  Paix.  t 

Sulingen,  June  1,  1811.  Arrived  at  half  past  one  this 
morning.  Little  Rudolph  got  up  and  knew  me,  but  would 
not  let  him  wake  any  of  the  family,  having  occasion  for 
nothing  but  rest.  Lay  on  a  sofa,  not  undressing,  but  got 
little  sleep.  The  postboys  began  with  their  horns.  Then 
(about  three)  came  into  my  room  some  travellers  to  search 
for  things  they  had  left.  Gave  up  the  business  of  sleeping, 
and  got  up  at  eight.  A  most  kind  reception  from  all  the 
family,  which  is  still  composed  exactly  as  when  I  was  here 
eighteen  months  ago.  The  youngest  daughter  has  grown 
much,  and  is  very  beautiful.  My  friend  D.  is  established 
at  Gottenburg  in  commerce.  And  now,  after  all  the  fatigue, 
the  mental  troubles  and  vexations,  the  eocpense,  find — what  I 
might  have  known ;  what,  in  fact,  did  know — that  I  had  no 
business  here  or  at  Breme ;  shall  nevertheless  go  to  Breme, 
and  thence  heavily  to  Amsterdam,  and  thence  to  Paris,  and 
thence  to  Bourdeaux,  and  thence  to  thee. 

Did  not  much  notice  the  country  from  Dieppolz  to  this. 
The  first  part  seemed  a  barren  ;  the  whole  plain.  Paid  my 
postillion,  who  drove  at  the  rate  of  about  six  leagues  in  six 
hours.  Now  let  us  see  what  this  tour  has  cost.  We'll  put 
the  whole  for  you  in  francs  and  sous. 

Groosander,  June  8,  1811.  Arrived  here  at  eight  this 
morning,  and  underwent  an  examination  of  baggage  at  a 
bureau,  this  being  (before  its  union  with  France)  the  fron- 
tier. We  passed  the  line  of  Oldenburgh  about  a  league 
back,  and  are  now  in  Friesland. 

We  left  the  city  of  Oldenburgh  at  ten  last  night.  Ten 
hours  steadily  employed  in  making  eight  short  leagues  in 
tolerable  roads.  Sandy,  as  usual,  but  not  quite  so  deep. 
Our  vehicle  is  the  same  kind  of  open  coarse  wagon.  A 
little  this  side  Oldenburgh  we  took  in  a  smart,  pretty  Friese 
girl ;  chere  amie,  as  would  appear,  of  our  conductor,  per- 
haps of  all  the  sex.  The  tender  kisses  she  gave  were  quite 


174  PRIVATE   JOURNAL 

provoking.  I  had  a  quantity  of  straw  put  into  my  part  of 
the  wagon,  and  slept  pretty  well  from  two  to  seven.  On 
waking,  found  a  fertile,  well-cultivated  country,  with  a  due 
portion  of  trees.  All  perfectly  level,  though  we  must  have 
passed  a  hill  in  coming  from  the  waters  of  the  Weser  to 
those  of  the  Ems. 

I  may  as  well  now  tell  you  that  I  left  Bremen  at  nine 
o'clock  yesterday  morning  in  a  very  coarse,  open  wagon, 
and  arrived  at  Oldenburgh  at  eight  in  the  evening.  We 
were  four.  A  Frenchman,  settled  at  Oldenburgh,  the  only 
one  with  whom  I  could  speak.  At  one  long  league  (three 
miles)  from  Bremen  we  leave  the  territories  of  that  city 
and  enter  those  of  Oldenburgh.  Thus  far  the  road  is 
paved,  but  very  roughly.  Then  a  heavy  sand,  and  the 
country  generally  has  a  barren  appearance.  At  one  league 
this  side  Oldenburgh  we  come  upon  a  small  river,  which 
forms  its  port ;  a  branch  of  the  Weser.  This  league  is 
over  a  wet,  low  meadow,  which  extends  south  and  south- 
west as  far  as  the  eye  can  reach.  Oldenburgh  is  pretty 
and  neat.  The  houses  generally  small  and  low.  At  every 
window,  flowers.  The  palace  I  did  not  see.  The  walks 
and  gardens  in  the  town  are  like  those  of  Hanover. 

The  fine  weather  continues  without  interruption.  Green 
pease  and  strawberries  have  been  eaten  at  Oldenburgh  for 
more  than  a  week. 

Schantze,  June  9, 1811.  We  were  detained  four  hours  at 
Groosander,  waiting  the  convenience  of  a  clerk  in  the  post- 
office  at  Leer,  for  which  place  he  proposed  to  take  passage 
with  us.  By  this  delay  we  arrived  here  at  midnight  in- 
stead of  eight  in  the  evening.  No,  it  was  at  Nassel  or 
Issel,  or  some  such  name,  that  we  were  so  long  detained. 
Two  or  three  leagues  this  side  Groosander,  another  doua- 
nier  and  inspection  of  baggage.  Met  there  a  French  lieu- 
tenant of  douane,  who  knew  intimately  Mr.  D.,  the  hus- 
band of  my  friend  Madame  D.,  and  spoke  of  him  in  terms 
of  the  warmest  eulogy  and  strong  attachment;  but  I  shall 


OF    AARON    BURR.  175 

never  know  him.  From  Issel  to  Leer,  three  hours.  Here 
the  postoffice  clerk  and  the  other  passenger  stopped.  The 
remaining  four  leagues  I  came  on  alone,  of  which  I  was 
glad  ;  for,  though  he  speaks  French  freely,  and  is,  I  believe, 
a  Frenchman,  he  did  not  say  a  word  to  me,  and  even  replied 
to  questions,  which  once  or  twice  I  put  to  him,  in  a  manner 
nearly  rude.  My  disorder  increased  to  such  a  degree  that  I 
was  in  the  utmost  misery.  Several  times  I  feared  to  faint 
from  the  pain.  It  occurred  to  me  that,  on  such  an  event,  my 
companions  would  probably  have  thrown  me  out  into  the 
high  road  as  a  useless  encumbrance,  and  taken  possession 
of  my  trunk  as  fair  prize. 

To  increase  my  distress,  the  road  from  Issel  is  all  the  way 
a  hard  chaussie  (turnpike).  The  pavement  in  Leer  (like 
our  street  pavements)  was  worse,  and  I  thought  it  would 
never  end.  It  appeared  to  me  that  Leer  must  be  longer 
than  London;  but,  on  reflection,  this  cannot  be  true.  I  would, 
however,  ascribe  to  it  from  800  to  1000  houses.  The  street 
in  which  I  was  so  tortured  cannot  be  less  than  a  mile  in 
length.  At  twelve  we  reached  Schantze  (Note — These 
places,  Hazel,  Schantze,  are  not  on  any  map.  I  write  them 
as  they  are  pronounced,  and  are,  doubtless,  very  far  from  the 
true  names) ;  we  waked  up  the  family,  got  a  dish  of  tea  and 
a  pail  of  water,  and  went  to  bed  at  two.  Rose  at  five,  hav- 
ing slept  little ;  not  a  person  in  the  house  speaking  a  word 
of  French  or  English.  The  landlord  not  up.  Got  break- 
fast. Hired  for  three  francs  the  roof  (the  back  cabin  is  so 
called)  to  myself;  a  comfortable  little  room,  about  six  feet 
by  ten,  with  four  windows  and  cushioned  seats.  Took  out 
my  inkstand  to  write  to  you ;  lay  down  on  the  cushioned 
bench  to  repose.  Got  asleep,  and  slept  sound  for  three 
hours,  i.  e.,  till  we  arrived  at  Winschoten,  three  and  a 
half  leagues.  Here  we  take  another  trackschoup,  and  I  had 
to  pay  for  the  cabin  (the  roof)  thirteen  francs,  an  imposition 
which,  if  I  had  had  any  wit,  I  might  have  escaped.  Slept 
again  till  Shudbrouk,  about  two  hours.  Being  detained  here 


176  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

for  half  an  hour  till  a  gate  (lock)  in  the  canal  should  be 
opened,  went  on  shore  and  had  full  opportunity  to  see  the 
singular  Friese  dress. 

A  white  cap  close  to  the  head,  and  coming  down  on  the 
forehead  nearly  to  the  eyebrows.  To  the  crown  of  this  is 
attached  a  piece  of  gauze  or  muslin,  according  to  the  taste, 
of  about  half  a  yard  long ;  set  on  very  full  all  round,  and 
flowing  loose.  Instead  of  ear-rings,  a  piece  of  metal,  silver, 
gold,  tin,  brass,  or  lead,  about  an  inch  in  diameter,  sometimes 
larger,  is  placed  on  the  temple,  generally  in  a  line  with  the 
eye,  and  brought  near  to  the  corner  of  the  eye  on  each  side. 
These  ornaments  are  in  a  form  approaching  that  of  a  shell, 
but  very  much  varied.  Ornamented  sometimes  with  pearls 
or  stones,  with  pendants.  I  could  not  imagine  how  these 
things  were  made  to  keep  their  place.  At  length  saw  two 
at  their  doors  with  the  metal  ornament,  but  without  the  cap. 
A  piece  of  metal  about  an  inch  broad  goes  from  each  tem- 
ple round  the  back  of  the  head,  and  is  made  elastic,  so  as 
to  compress  the  temples  near  the  eyes.  To  the  ends  of 
these  are  fixed  the  ornaments. 

This  headdress  is  said  to  have  continued  without  change 
from  the  remotest  period  of  which  any  account  is  preserved 
in  tradition  or  history.  The  rest  of  the  dress  is  equally  pe- 
culiar. A  long  shortgown,  reaching  about  a  foot  below  the 
•  hips ;  a  sort  of  apron,  going  nearly  round  the  person,  but 
open  a  few  inches  behind,  to  show  the  skirts  of  the  short- 
gown.  This  apron  is  of  blue  or  black,  and  some  I  saw  of 
silk,  but  invariably  the  upper  part,  about  six  or  eight  inches, 
of  calico,  stamped  with  various  colours.  From  five  years  old 
to  ninety,  the  cap,  the  temple-ornament,  the  shortgown  and 
apron,  are  universal. 

The  men  of  all  orders  have  very  sharp-toed  shoes,  such 
as  our  beaus  used  to  wear  ten  or  fifteen  years  ago.  At  about 
two  leagues  more  pass  through  Sapmere.  Here  many  ves- 
sels in  the  canal,  some  of  more  than  one  hundred  tons. 

Gottingen,  June  10,  1811.  While  I  was  writing  to  you 


OF    AARON    BURR.  177 

yesterday,  came  into  my  cabin  one  of  the  passengers  who 
spoke  a  little  French ;  he  was  followed  by  another ;  both 
seated  themselves  without  ceremony.  Then  a  third  was 
coming  in.  I  addressed  him  in  English,  but  with  an  air  of 
inquiry  which  he  could  not  mistake,  and  he  paused  at  the 
door.  I  desired  my  interpreter  to  ask  him  what  he  wanted. 
The  man  replied  to  him  that  he  wished  to  come  in  and  sit 
down,  as  the  place  was  much  more  comfortable  than  the 
other.  1  bid  the  interpreter  tell  him  that  it  was  for  that  rea- 
son I  had  hired  it,  and  paid  for  it  so  much  money  to  have  it 
to  myself;  but  tho  man  came  in,  placed  himself  in  a  corner, 
and  in  two  minutes  was  snoring  lustily.  The  first  began  to 
ask  me  many  stupid  questions  about  America,  for  he  had 
learned  my  name  from  the  gens  d'armes,  and  then  would 
repeat  in  Holland  to  the  other.  They  lighted  their  pipes, 
and  I  left  them  the  cabin  to  themselves  and  did  not  again  go 
in.  They  were  as  much  at  their  ease  as  if  they  had  been 
proprietors.  We  landed  in  Gottingen  at  five.  The  tower, 
turret,  like  a  church  steeple,  but  for  what  use  know  not,  is 
lofty,  and  makes  a  handsome  appearance.  The  city  might, 
I  should  conjecture,  contain  20,000  inhabitants.  All  brick 
houses,  one  or  two  story,  the  parapet  lined  with  large  trees. 
Canals  intersecting  the  town  at  right  angles.  The  place  of 
embarcation  for  Strobos  being  on  the  other  side  of  the  town, 
without  the  gate,  distant  nearly  half  a  league,  I  preferred  to 
go  directly  thither,  to  be  ready  to  depart  at  four  in  the  morn- 
ing. Got  a  boy  to  carry  my  trunk  for  eight  stivers,  about 
sixteen  cents,  He  most  impudently  tried  to  extort  from  me 
eight  more.  The  master  of  the  trachtschuyt  too,  notwith- 
standing the  enormous  sum  I  had  paid  for  the  cabin,  de- 
manded for  the  freight  of  my  trunk,  which  I  peremptorily 
refused. 

I  got  a  decent  room  at  the  tavern  on  this  side  ;  had  dinner 
and  tea;  a  clean  bed;  three  gigantic,  good-natured  servant 
girls  were  very  attentive,  and  greatly  pleased  to  receive  five 
stivers  each.  The  walk  of  half  a  league  over  a  rough  pave- 


178  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

ment  gave  me  pain.     Nevertheless,  I  walked  and  stood  a 
good  deal  in  the  street  to  see  what  was  passing. 

This  being  Sunday,  and  also  the  feast  of  the  King  of 
Rome,  every  one  is  dressed  and  abroad.  The  temple-or- 
nament, of  which  I  forgot  to  learn  the  name,  is  universal 
here.  I  saw  only  one  exception ;  but  1  have  not  well  de 
scribed  it,  nor  can  I.  Will  buy  one  for  you,  and  dress  you 
and  A.  B.  A.  a  la  Friese.  At  each  end  of  the  metal  band 
which  encircles  the  back  of  the  head  is  a  plate  as  big  as 
your  little  hand.  To  this  are  fastened  the  ornaments  on  the 
cheek  bone.  The  maids  of  the  house  permitted  me  to  ex- 
amine theirs. 

My  host  invited  me  to  go  with  him  to  the  city  to  see  the 
illumination ;  but  I  was  in  too  much  pain.  Couche  at 
twelve  to  half  past  three.  Took  coffee  and  embarked  for 
Strobos,  five  leagues.  Paid  for  the  cabin  (the  roof)  twenty- 
eight  stivers. 

When  I  speak  of  leagues  here,  the  hours  of  going  of 
trachtschuyt  is  meant;  this  is,  I  think,  something  more  than 
three  English  miles.  Slept  the  whole  way  to  Strobos, 
where  arrived  at  nine  and  got  breakfast.  Tea.  Was  asked, 
and  fool  enough  to  pay,  six  guilders,  twelve  francs,  and  ten 
sous  for  the  calhuyt,  and  intended  to  write  you  some  pages ; 
but  the  passengers  interrupted  me  so  rudely  that  I  wrote 
not  a  line.  All  the  time  on  deck,  admiring  the  rich  cultiva- 
tion and  excessive  population.  At  Dookum,  a  smart  town 
(city),  determined  not  to  hire  the  cabin,  but  to  take  my 
chance  with  the  herd.  Paid  eighteen  slivers  for  the  four 
leagues  to  Leewarden,  the  capital  of  West  Friesland.  It 
has  several  churches  and  a  theatre.  A  very  good-tempered 
Friese  belle  was  passenger.  She  was  in  full  costume  of 
the  country.  Not  only  a  splendid  golden  oorgzat,  but  ear- 
rings and  large  pendants  of  the  same;  also,  a  gold  necklace 
set  with  stones.  The  cap  as  before  described.  First,  the 
hair  is  all  concealed  under  a  black  silk  cap,  sitting  very  close 
to  the  head  ;  then  the  oorgzat,  over  which  is  a  pink  riband 


OF    AARON    BURR.  179 

(fillet)  to  keep  it  steady ;  then  the  cap,  of  which  the  head- 
piece is  worked  muslin  ;  the  part  pendant,  gauze,  about  one 
foot  long,  bordered  all  round  with  a  lace  of  three  inches 
broad.  She  told  me  that  her  headdress  cost  250  stuyons, 
about  520  francs.  The  pendant  part  of  the  cap  covers  each 
side  of  the  face,  and  may  serve  as  a  veil,  admitting  of  much 
coquettish  management. 

One  may  take  a  single  place  in  the  calhuyt,  which  has  no 
fixed  price,  but  is  about  three  stivers.  The  common  cabin 
about  two  stivers. 

At  Leewarden  was  great  holyday.  There  were  thou- 
sands of  people  in  the  fields  just  without  the  ramparts. 
Among  other  amusements,  horse-races,  at  which  the  digni- 
taries of  your  sporting-club  would  laugh.  It  is  a  trotting 
race.  The  distance  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile.  The  belles 
were  dressed  and  walking  on  the  border  of  the  fosse.  Met 
several  very  pretty  and  graceful  forms.  The  ramparts  or 
parapet  is  lined  with  double  rows  of  large  trees,  and,  being 
elevated  about  ten  feet  above  the  common  level,  forms  a 
beautiful  walk  and  affords  extensive  views.  On  the  outside 
of  the  fosse,  where  we  were  obliged  to  walk  about  half  a  mile 
to  reach  the  place  of  embarcation  for  Harlingen,  also  double 
rows  of  trees,  but  not  yet  full  grown.  Embarked  at  five; 
the  boat  very  full,  being  about  thirty  passengers.  Paid  again 
nineteen  stuyons  for  a  single  place.  Paid  boys  five  stuy- 
ons for  bringing  over  rny  trunk  and  sack  from  the  last  land- 
ing. Arrived  at  Harlingen  at  ten,  being  yet  broad  daylight. 
On  this  last  passage,  a  well-dressed  young  man  addressed 
me  in  French,  and,  after  some  conversation,  tnais  n'est  ce 
pas  que  vous  parlez  Anglois  ?  Oui,  monsieur,  un  peu. 
Well,  then,  let  us  talk  English.  He  is  English  or  Irish,  and 
established  at  Amsterdam  as  professor  of — I  know  not  what 
branch  of  science ;  Thomas  Coles.  At  Harlingen  we  had 
tea  by  way  of  supper,  good  rooms,  and  clean,  comfortable 
beds. 

Couche  at  twelve  to  five.    Slept  not  an  hour,  having  drank 


ISO  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

too  much  strong  tea.  Several  French  officers  are  quartered 
in  this  house.  The  captain-commandant  amused  us  by  re- 
lations of  his  disputes  with  the  mayor  and  burgomasters. 
Paid  for  supper,  breakfast,  and  bed,  about  three  francs  five 
sous.  Very  moderate.  Embarked  (with  my  professor,  who 
is  an  amusing  companion)  at  nine.  Intended  to  have  taken 
the  calhuyt,  as  there  is  probability  of  being  out  all  night,  but 
it  was  already  taken  by  an  elderly  lady.  In  the  common 
cabin,  which  is  about  ten  feet  square,  we  have  twelve  passen- 
gers. A  pretty,  well-dressed  girl  was  of  our  party,  but  the 
old  lady  has  received  her  in  the  calhuyt.  Our  cabin  admits 
of  sitting  up,  but  not  of  standing.  It  is  impossible  to  be 
more  uncomfortable.  All  round  is  a  narrow  bench,  not 
covered,  bare  board,  and  in  the  middle  fixed  a  small  table, 
which,  by  stretching,  you  can  just  reach  from  the  benches. 
No  chairs,  so  that  the  table  cannot  be  used  for  writing. 
Every  one  has  his  little  store  of  provisions.  The  professor 
and  I  had  only  bread,  milk,  and  brandy.  We  got  cheese  of 
the  captain,  but  his  butter  is  stale.  Wind  ahead.  Have 
been  out  all  night,  and  now,  at  ten  A.  M.,  Wednesday,  the 
12th  June,  in  sight  of  Amsterdam,  these  three  pages  are 
written.  Our  supper  and  breakfast,  tea,  bread  and  cheese, 
no  sugar ;  fortunately,  I  had  a  little.  The  professor  is  on 
good  terms  with  the  proprietors  of  the  calhuyt,  and  had  a  good 
bed.  I  had  also  engaged  a  bed  before  embarking;  but  the 
captain  thought  proper  to  give  it  to  one  of  his  countrymen, 
and  so  I  consoled  myself  on  the  narrow  bench. 

Never  cross  the  Zuyder  Zee,  nor  ever  get  into  a  tracht- 
schuyt,  without  engaging  the  calhuyt ;  and,  as  in  the  tracht- 
schuyt,  there  is  neither  latch  nor  bolt  to  the  calhuyt,  I  ad- 
vise you  to  go  lo  the  expense  of  a  hook  or  button  to  fasten 
yourself  in,  or,  rather,  to  shut  your  neighbours  out.  In  the 
packet-boats  they  are  neat  and  well  fitted. 

In  the  common  cabin  of  the  packet-boat  and  of  the  tracht 
schuyt,  you  always  find  two  articles  of  furniture  to  us  un- 
known— a  feer  potche  and  a  speere  potche.     A  number  are 


OF    AARON    BURR.  181 

always  smoking  vile  tobacco,  and  using  the  speer  potche 
(spitting  cup);  but  at  tea,  either  morning  or  evening,  all 
smoke  perpetually  while  they  sip  their  tea.  Imagine  the 
odour  of  the  atmosphere,  with  a  dozen  people  in  a  cabin  ten 
feet  square  and  five  feet  high. 

June  12.  On  board  packet-boat.  Last  evening,  about 
nine,  we  passed  near  the  town  of  Enkhausen,  on  the  coast  of 
N.  Holland,  formerly  wealthy  and  prosperous,  principally 
by  the  herring  fishery,  now  in  decay.  You  will  wonder 
that  a  town  well  built  of  brick  and  stone  can  be  in  ruin  in 
the  course  of  fifteen  years.  It  is  thus  explained.  When 
their  fishery  and  commerce  were  destroyed,  the  more 
wealthy,  deprived  of  all  resource,  were  obliged  to  sell  their 
fine  houses  ;  but  there  were  no  purchasers.  At  length  arose 
a  new  profession,  that  of  demolisher  (slooper)  ;  they  buy 
houses,  you  may  suppose  at  what  price,  in  order  to  demol- 
ish (slooper)  them,  and  to  transport  the  brick,  timber,  iron, 
and  glass  elsewhere  for  sale.  This  unfortunate  town  has 
furnished  much  employ  to  this  new  trade. 

While  we  were  embarking  at  Harlingen  two  gens  d'armes 
came  to  the  boatside  and  examined  the  passengers,  but  ask- 
ed no  questions.  I  have  not  been  required  to  show  my  pass- 
port since  leaving  Oldenburgh,  except  by  the  gens  d'armes 
on  Monday. 

The  wind  has  been  light  and  direct  ahead  the  whole  way. 
My  friend  Neptune  has,  for  the  first  time,  forgotten  me ;  or, 
perhaps,  he  don't  trouble  himself  with  what  passes  on  a  mill- 
pond  like  this.  We  have  seldom  found  more  than  eight  or 
ten  feet  water.  They  have  no  lead,  but  sound  with  a  pole. 
Even  the  channel  does  not  admit  of  vessels  drawing  more 
than  eleven  feet.  Such  is  the  Zuyder  Zee.  Large  vessels 
are  (formerly  were)  brought  to  Amsterdam,  being  buoyed 
up  by  what  is  called,  in  English,  camels. 

From  Leer  to  Harlingen  the  land  is  generally  from  one  to 
four  feet  above  the  water ;  in  very  few  places  any  bank  to 
resist  inundation.  In  winter,  the  whole  country  is  covered 


182  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

with  water.  Approaching  the  town,  we  have  been  twice 
brought  to  by  vessels  having  custom-house  officers  on 
board.  At  three  P.  M.  we  are  moored  about  one  hundred 
yards  from  the  dock,  and  a  boat  comes  off  to  take  us  on 
shore. 

Amsterdam,  June  12,  1811.  This  evening  I  am  at  my  old 
quarters  at  M.  Van  Ham's.  On  landing,  walked  home, 
about  half  a  league ;  paid  six  stivers  to  a  man  who  brought 
my  trunk.  Found  my  little  room  vacant  and  took  posses- 
sion. Wrote  and  sent  notes  to  Pluym  and  to  Vanderhoeval. 
The  former  reported  to  be  sick  abed.  The  latter  called  on 
me  this  evening.  Shall  go  early  to  bed,  for  am  bruised  to  a 
jelly.  About  twelve  last  night  got  so  much  of  one  of  the 
benches  as  enabled  me  to  lay  down,  but  not  to  stretch  out, 
on  the  larboard  side.  Every  lime  we  tacked  to  go  on  the 
starbord  tack,  I  rolled  off  on  to  the  floor.  This  operation 
was  repeated  about  once  in  a  quarter  of  an  hour. 

13.  Received  last  evening  a  letter  from  L.  Menard,  in  an- 
swer to  one  I  wrote  him  from  Sulingen.     He  could  find  no 
letters  for  me  ;  so  the  packet  of  your  letters,  which  was  sent 
to  De  Netzel,  is  finally  lost.     No  letter  from  Denon  in  reply 
to  that  which  I  wrote  him  before  leaving  town. 

At  nine  came  in  Captain  Combes,  of  the  ship  Vigilant,  to 
say  that  he  had  got  permission  to  sail,  and  that,  if  I  chose  to 
take  passage,  he  would  do  all  in  his  power  to  accommodate 
me.  I  forgot  to  say  that  the  captain  had  called  during  my 
absence,  and  had  desired  Van  Ham  to  let  him  know  of  my 
return.  Agreed  to  call  on  the  captain  at  three  to  see  the 
ship.  At  eleven  to  Pluym's  ;  sick  abed.  To  the  doctor's  ; 
out. 

Went  this  evening  to  that  same  secretary-general  of  po- 
lice. He  received  me  a  little  better  than  before,  and  said 
nothing  about  turning  me  out  of  town. 

14.  Do  you  know,  my  dear  Theodosia,  that  this  overture 
of  Captain  Combes's  is  a  most  interesting  circumstance  ?    A 
ship  of  near  400  tons,  in  fine  order,  sails  well,  and  the  cap- 


OF    AARON    BURR.  183 

tain,  as  he  says,  anxious  to  serve  me.  He  has  often  kept 
awake,  he  says,  whole  nights  about  me,  though  he  had  never 
seen  me.  He  will  fit  up  a  cabin  to  my  own  caprice,  and 
appears  to  think  he  can  never  do  enough.  Now  my  pas- 
sage is  taken,  I  hasten  to  Paris.  What  need  I  to  go  to 
Paris  ?  Indeed,  I  can't  exactly  tell  you ;  but  a  thousand 
nothings,  of  which,  probably,  the  most  important  are  to  buy 
Gampy  some  beautiful  marbles,  and  you  some  silk  stock- 
ings, and  father  a  pail  to  water  his  horses  on  the  road.  A 
pail  that  you  may  put  in  your  pocket.  All  these  will  cost 
perhaps  seven  or  eight  louis,  and  the  journey  will  cost  at  • 
least  twelve.  But,  then,  there  is  your  watch  which  I  have 
ordered,  and  one  for  Gampy,  if  I  can  squeeze  out  the  money  ; 
and  some  books,  and  some  garden-seeds.  I  think  all  these 
matters  would  be  left  to  the  hazard  of  being  badly  executed 
or  omitted.  But  two  articles  are  a  little  difficult.  First,  to 
get  my  passport  changed  from  Bourdeaux  to  Amsterdam. 
Second,  to  get  another  operation  of  Fonzi,  which  he  has 
promised. 

Called  again  on  Pluym.  Still  abed.  Got  from  his  part- 
ner the  address  of  a  notary  whom  he  recommended  for  my 
affair  with  the  Holland  Company.  Messrs.  Fabrius  and  De 
Man.  Called  on  them  and  opened  my  business.  They 
both  speak  English.  De  Man  is  very  handsome,  arid  has  an 
intelligent  countenance.  Handed  him  a  copy  of  my  note  to 
Studniski  of  22d  May,  and  another  which  I  wrote  last  night 
to  Studniski  and  Van  Ergin.  My  coachman  dumb  and  lost 
his  way,  and,  as  I  could  not  speak  Dutch,  we  had  some 
trouble  to  get  home  again. 

At  five  called  on  De  Hoeval  and  sat  an  hour.  Received 
a  note  from  De  Man,  that  he  had  met  and  conversed  with 
one  of  the  partners,  Studniski,  who  assured  him  that  I 
should  have  answers  to  all  my  queries  to-morrow.  This 
is  a  most  wonderful  change.  I  employed  Messrs.  Fabrius 
and  De  Man  merely  to  call  on  the  Studniski's,  &c.,  and  to 
certify  formally  that  they  refused  to  answer.  So  resolve 

VOL.  II.  12 


184  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

to  stay  to-morrow.  This  afternoon  to  V.  D.  H.,  and  then  to 
a  limner,  where  was  to  meet  la  belle  Mannette ;  as  she  did 
not  come  at  the  minute  agreed,  I  came  off.  Home,  and  took 
coffee  for  dinner.  Wrote  letters  to  Denon  and  to  Vander- 
lyn,  both  in  French.  Forgot  to  tell  you  that  the  Vigilant 
cannot  be  ready  to  sail  before  the  15th  July. 

15.  Waited  at  home  till   twelve  before   I  had   message 
from  Pluym.     Went  at  one  and  saw  him.     Received  my 
money,  except  one  thousand  francs,  which  left  in  his  hands. 
Then  to  Fabrius   and  De  Man's.      Saw  De  Man ;   he  had 
seen  Van  H.,  who  requested   that  I   would  wait  till   next 
week,  and  I  should  certainly  receive  answers  ;  which  I  re- 
fused, and  left  the  affair  with  De  Man. 

To  Captain  Combes,  who  offers  to  do  everything  for  my 
accommodation.  I  had  enjoined  secrecy  as  to  my  going; 
but  he  says  that  his  mate  and  three  of  his  sailors  knew  me 
the  moment  I  came  into  the  ship.  Home  ;  M.  had  got  me  a 
nice  little  dinner.  La  p.  Therese  made  me  four  nightcaps, 
and  I  gave  her  a  ducat,  about  thirteen  shillings  New- York 
money.  Paid  my  bill  to  Van  Ham. 

16.  Mitje  and  Therese  were  up  at  five.     Got  me  break- 
fast.   Left  all  my  baggage,  with  my  keys,  in  care  of  Therese. 
Took  only  my  little  sack  and  umbrella.     At  half  past  six  a 
hack  took  me  to  the  Port  de  Harlaem,  and  at  seven  we  were 
under  weigh.     Now,  as  we  had  no  anchors,  we  could  not  be 
under  weigh,  but  we  were  off.     At  about  one  hour  came  in 
sight  of  the  Harlaem  Lake.     At  one  and  a  half  hour,  change 
boat,  in  sight  of  Harlaem  Cathedral  and  the  dunes,  like  a 
range  of  little  mountains.     Paid  for  passage  twelve  stivers  ; 
for  cushion   to  sit  on,  two  stivers;  for   carrying  my  sack 
across  the  town  to  the  place  of  ernbarcation,  ten  stivers. 

Harlaem  is  like  all  the  Dutch  towns — neat.  It  is  well 
built.  Much  ornamented  with  trees  and  open  squares.  Very 
quiet.  Had,  as  is  said,  formerly,  sixty  thousand  inhabitants  ; 
now  sixteen  thousand.  The  wood  (Bowery)  without  the 
town  on  the  side  of  Leyden  ;  the  rows  of  trees  ;  the  view 


OF  AARON   BURR.  185 

of  the  dunes  ;  the  neat,  well-built  houses,  denoting  wealth 
and  ease  (olim),  render  this  part  of  the  way  quite  pictu- 
resque. The  calhuyt  was  taken.  I  was  just  as  well  in 
the  common  cabin  and  on  deck.  There  were  many  women 
on  board,  several  very  pretty.  Fine  arms,  fair  skins,  good 
complexions,  and  sound  teeth,  are  characteristics  of  the  sex 
in  this  country.  From  Harlaem  to  Leyden  is  four  hours. 
On  the  way  a  shower,  but  cleared  off.  On  landing  at  Ley- 
den,  got  my  sack  and  coat  transported  for  one  stiver,  and 
could  have  had  it  for  half,  though  the  distance  is  much  great- 
er than  that  for  which  I  paid  ten  stivers  at  Harlaem.  Al- 
ways make  a  bargain. 

The  dunes  are  sandhills  supposed  to  have  been  thrown 
up  by  the  ocean,  against  which  they  serve  as  a  barrier. 
Some  of  them  appear  at  least  one  hundred  feet  high.  They 
extend  about  a  league  in  width ;  a  barren,  dead  sand.  On 
the  other  side  is  the  ocean.  You  pass  through  a  small  part 
of  them  on  the  way  to  Leyden. 

From  Leyden  to  Delft  is  still  beautiful,  by  the  cultivation, 
the  trees,  the  excellent  houses,  and  the  beautiful  pavilions 
which  border  the  canal.  A  gentleman  with  a  French  wife 
and  a  boy  of  thirteen  proposed  to  associate  with  me,  to  take 
posthorses  from  Rotterdam  to  Anvers,  to  which  I  agreed  ; 
but,  separating,  we  did  not  again  meet  in  time  to  make  the 
arrangement. 

June  17,  1811.  Onboard  trachtschuyt  from  Delft  to  Rot- 
terdam. My  good  host  Walter  has  lent  me  pen  and  ink 
(with  which  this  is  written),  to  be  returned  by  trachtschuyt. 
There  is  so  much  confidence  in  the  skippers  of  these  tracht- 
schuyt, that  the  innkeeper  will  give  you  breakfast  with  the 
table  furniture  on  board,  &c.  Sailing  in  the  trachtschuyt, 
every  time  you  change  your  vessel  comes  a  little  fellow 
with  his  cap  and  whip,  and  asks  you  to  please  remember 
the  postillion. 

The  pavilions,  country  houses,  barns,  and  shaded  walks ; 
the  various  forms  given  to  trees,  canopies,  parapets,  obelisks, 


i86  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

pyramids,  &c.,  are  worthy  of  notice.  Question. — Of  what 
nation  are  the  people  who  sit  on  the  roof,  their  feet  and  legs 
hanging  down  into  the  cabin,  where  are  a  number  of  ladies  ? 
Who  stand  in  the  doors,  depriving  those  within  of  light,  of 
prospect,  and  of  air  ?  Who  talk  of  trifles,  of  nothings,  but 
always  of  themselves,  with  voice  loud  and  important ;  if 
several  of  the  ladies  sleeping,  no  matter  ? 

Rotterdam,  June  17,  evening.  After  writing  the  prece- 
ding, went  to  sleep  and  slept  till  our  arrival.  Paid  six  stivers 
for  carrying  my  sack  to  the  tavern,  Le  Marechal  Turenne, 
which  they  say  is  the  taxe  for  carrying  one  pound  or  a  great- 
er weight  anywhere  within  the  city.  Went  immediately  to 
the  bureau  des  diligence  and  took  my  place  for  Anvers, 
about  nineteen  leagues.  This  is  to  be  land  travelling.  Paid 
thirty-five  francs,  and  lost  two  francs  in  the  change  of  a  half 
doubloon.  Stepped  into  a  shop  to  buy  a  pair  of  gloves.  A 
beautiful  brunnette,  resembling  Madame  Gilbert.  She  was 
speaking  Holland  to  a  customer,  and  answered  me  in  French. 
If  I  mistake  not,  madame,  you  can  speak  a  little  English. 
She  was  English.  Stayed  half  an  hour,  then  home.  Lay 
on  the  bed.  Refused  dinner.  Slept  till  five.  Had  tea,  and 
then  to  Madame  Foster's,  where  sat  an  hour,  and  engaged 
to  call  on  my  return.  Then  walked  an  hour  through  the 
town,  and  along  the  Meuse  (in  Dutch,  Maase).  It  is  beauti- 
ful, it  is  magnificent.  Ships  of  any  burden  can  come  up  to 
the  town,  and  into  the  canals  and  basins.  The  streets  are 
now  about  ten  feet  above  the  water.  In  many  high  floods 
of  the  Rhine  the  water  has  covered  some  of  the  streets. 
The  canals  appear,  generally,  one  hundred  feet  wide.  Rows 
of  very  large  trees  and  sidewalks  paved  with  yellow  brick. 
1  have  seen  no  city  so  finely  accommodated  for  trade.  Its 
position,  too.  Look  at  your  map,  master  Gampy.  It  had 
once  more  than  sixty  thousand  inhabitants ;  how  many  now 
have  not  learned. 

On  returning  to  my  lodgings,  the  servant  brought  a  paper 
ruled  in  columns,  with  printed  heads,  which  the  traveller  is 


OF    AARON    BURR.  187 

required  to  fill  up.  Your  name,  occupation,  place  of  birth, 
whence  and  where  going,  &c.  This  is  universal  wherever 
you  lodge  at  night.  I  have  procured  one  of  these  papers, 
and  will  fold  it  in  this.  The  diligence  goes  at  five ;  have 
ordered  my  breakfast  at  four;  and  now,  at  eleven,  shall 
smoke  my  pipe  and  go  to  bed. 

The  gentleman  who  was  so  anxious  of  travelling  with  me 
called  to  arrange,  but  I  had  already  taken  rny  passage,  at 
which  I  was  quite  mortified,  and  so  was  he ;  for  we  would 
have  saved  twenty-five  francs. 

At  nine  last  evening,  as  I  was  on  my  way  to  the  secre- 
taire de  la  police,  which  my  host  thought  necessary,  the  little 
son  of  Dr.  S.  came  running  after  to  say  that  his  father  had 
gone  to  my  lodgings.  Returned,  and  we  met  and  went  to 
his  house.  Passed  an  hour  with  him  ;  a  sensible,  amiable 
man.  I  happened  to  recollect  that  he  was  the  inventor  of 
a  machine  for  determining  the  depth  of  the  ocean  at  places 
beyond  sounding.  He  explained  with  pleasure,  and  showed 
me  a  model.  I  praised  his  children,  another  little  boy  and 
girl,  all  three  beautiful.  He  has  a  son  of  twenty  at  Leyden, 
and  a  daughter  married.  These  two  by  a  first  wife,  whose 
picture  he  drew  from  his  bosom  and  showed  me.  A^fine 
face.  We  agreed  to  meet  at  ten  to-morrow  morning.  My 
host  is  exceedingly  like  our  good  Dr.  Browne,  and  speaks 
French.  His  daughter  also,  a  fine,  plump,  healthy,  round- 
faced  girl  of  eighteen.  Had  a  good  bed,  and  slept  till  six 
from  twelve,  but  very  illy,  my  headache  having  returned. 

Walked  half  an  hour  in  this  fine  town,  richly  built,  and 
formerly  44,000  inhabitants,  to  buy  a  pair  of  gloves ;  but  saw 
not  a  shop  but  of  soap  and  candles,  tobacco,  and  bread.  It 
is  said  there  are  now  but  10,000  inhabitants,  and  that  five 
of  them  are  on  charge.  Formerly  forty-eight  breweries, 
now  two;  six  thousand  persons  employed  in  manufactures 
of  Fayence  (the  ware  we  call  delf),  now  one  hundred,  &c. 
At  ten  called  on  Dr.  S. ;  saw  the  big  and  the  little  boy. 
Gave  to  one  a  pretty  crayon,  to  the  other  bon  bons.  The 


188  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

doctor  came  and  walked  with  me  to  show  their  academy, 
founded  by  the  bounty  of  a  lady  who  died  about  fifty  years 
ago.  The  philos.  apparatus ;  an  air-pump  on  a  new  con- 
struction ;  model  of  machine  by  the  Montgolfier  for  jet  d'eaux. 
He  gave  me  a  copy  of  his  memoire  explaining  the  bathom- 
eter. Off  at  eleven,  and  on  board  trachtschuyt  in  the  calhuvt. 
Have  paid  ten  stivers  for  my  passage  to  Rotterdam,  two  and 
a  half  leagues.  A  fine,  clear,  brilliant  summer's  day,  and 
not  warm. 

Anvers,  June  18,  1811.  Arrived  here  at  nine  this  evening, 
having  been  sixteen  hours  coming  about  forty-five  miles,  the 
distance  from  Rotterdam  to  this  place,  not  halting  either  to 
breakfast  or  dine,  and  relays  of  excellent  horses  about  every 
eight  miles. 

The  passage  across  the  Meuse  is  about  half  a  league, 
which  is  made  in  a  small  skiff.  The  tide  rises  here  about 
five  feet.  The  water  fresh.  Then  over  an  island  or  islands, 
three  leagues,  crossing  on  the  way  two  small  ferries  in  ^cows 
drawn  by  ropes.  Passing  several  villages.  The  country 
in  high  cultivation  ;  perfectly  flat,  riding  often  on  the  dike 
(bank),  which  gives  a  view  of  the  surrounding  country.  The 
three  leagues  brings  you  to  the  little  village  Buitensluys, 
opposite  Williamstadt.  The  passage  over  the  Hollandsche 
duse,  a  large  bay  here  formed,  is  about  four  miles,  made 
also  in  a  small  skiff.  At  this  vile  little  village  of  Buitensluys, 
surrounded  by  beggars ;  an  idiot  female,  a  most  shocking 
object,  and  several  monsters  and  deformities.  Here  is  a 
rigid  examination.  Our  trunks  and  sacks  were  rummaged 
to  the  bottom.  Even  the  little  bundles  in  my  sack  were 
opened.  On  landing  at  Williamstadt,  the  same  examination 
was  repeated. 

From  Williamstadt  to  Bergen-op-Zoom,  famous  by  many 
sieges,  must  be  about  seven  or  eight  leagues.  We  stopped  at 
a  village  about  half  way,  where  got  hastily  a  tar  tine  (piece  of 
bread  and  butter,  and  a  cutlet,  and  beer).  Bergen-op-Zoom 
is  so  covered  by  its  fortifications,  that,  on  approaching,  you 


OF  AARON  BURR.  189 

see  nothing  but  trees  and  one  or  two  spires.  On  coining 
out  the  carriage  we  were  again  examined  by  the  douaniers, 
but  no  delay  or  opening  of  trunks.  This  town  seems  to  be 
on  high  land,  as  its  name  imports,  and  on  going  out  you  see 
small  hills  on  the  left  like  dunes.  On  the  right  a  large  sheet 
of  water,  a  sort  of  bay.  Looking  S.  W.  seems  like  the  ocean, 
the  water  forming  the  horizon.  An  officer  who  was  in  the 
carriage  said  all  that  space  was  formerly  covered  with  vil- 
lages and  under  cultivation,  but,  by  the  rupture  of  some  dike, 
had  been  regained  by  the  water.  He  showed  us  an  old  map 
which  verified  the  fact,  arid  from  this  place  to  Anvers  there 
is  scarce  a  tree,  though  the  land  is  in  pasture  or  cultivation ; 
but  the  other  part  of  the  road,  hence  to  Rotterdam,  is  lined 
with  trees  ;  sometimes  three,  four,  and  even  six  rows. 

We  rode  to-day  in  a  sort  of  phaeton,  with  two  or  three 
benches.  The  back  seat  only  has  any  support  or  leaning 
place.  1  was  in  front,  and  was  greatly  fatigued,  the  carriage 
being  hard.  From  Bergen-op-Zoom  we  were  eleven,  and 
had  two  carriages,  and  I  had  a  back  seat ;  but  I  might  have 
had  it  before,  as  it  was  occupied  by  two  young  men. 

We  had  difficulty  here  to  find  beds,  the  town  being  very 
full.  A  gentleman  and  wife  from  Bruxells  were  in  the  car- 
riage from  Bergen-op-Zoom,  and  we  made  some  acquaint- 
ance. He  and  I  went  to  the  police  to  get  our  passports 
vised,  without  which  you  cannot  get  out  of  town.  Took  my 
tea  in  the  evening,  and  went  to  bed  at  eleven  quite  out  of 
order.  No  appetite,  and  in  pain  all  day.  A  sort  of  dull 
headache. 

Bruxells,  June  19,  1811.  Had  a  bad  night's  rest,  i.  e., 
little  or  none.  The  house  was  very  noisy  till  two  o'clock, 
and  at  four  I  was  up.  Off  at  five ;  the  carriage  extremely 
convenient  and  well  hung.  Had  a  back  seat.  Went  to 
sleep.  At  two  leagues  from  Bruxells,  my  companion  waked 
me,  and  said  I  must  view  the  country  for  the  rest  of  the 
way,  as  there  was  nothing  in  Europe  more  beautiful.  He 
was  right.  We  rode  the  whole  day  along  the  canal ;  pass 


190  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

the  palace  of Luc,  and  continually  elegant  houses,  parks, 

and  other  improvements. 

At  Malinos  got  very  hastily  two  dishes  of  very  bad  cof- 
fee, for  which  paid  a  florin.  My  headache  has  pursued  me 
all  day  without  intermission.  Resolved  to  hasten  on  to 
Paris,  and  back  to  Amsterdam,  and  on  board  the  Vigilant, 
even  if  it  were  certain  that  I  should  die  on  the  passage  and 
be  thrown  overboard.  Weary  of  Europe. 

Walked  to  see  the  Park.  There  is  nothing  in  Paris  equal 
to  it.  The  richness  and  variety  of  the  shops  and  stores 
surprised  me.  They  have  no  need  to  go  to  Paris  for  pretty 
things.  What  pity  that  I  have  not  fifty  guineas  to  buy  you 
lace  here.  Oh !  what  a  quantity  you  could  have.  Bought 
only  a  map  of  the  city  and  another  of  the  Austrian  Nether- 
lands. Lay  down  and  slept  an  hour.  Had  a  bowl  of  soup 
and  slept  again ;  and  now  have  had  my  tea,  and  have  writ- 
ten you  this  whole  sheet,  and  am  obliged  to  begin  another; 
and,  lest  you  and  Gampy  should  scold  at  me  for  using  paper 
of  different  sizes,  have  cut  down  a  quarto  sheet  to  this. 

The  fare  from  hence  to  Paris  is  sixty  francs.  You  go 
day  and  night ;  that  is,  are  two  days  and  one  night  on  the 
road,  or  two  days  and  two  nights,  forget  which ;  but  we 
stop  not,  except  to  make  a  hasty  meal.  I  have  got  number 
three,  which  entitles  me  to  a  corner.  Shall  write  you 
nothing  till  I  arrive  and  get  settled  in  Paris.  Have  given 
up  my  old  quarters  and  made  no  provision. 

There  is  a  play  to-night,  and  I  should  have  been  very  glad 
to  have  gone,  that  I  might  have  told  you  something  about 
it ;  but  must  lay  quiet  and  nurse  myself.  Adieu,  mes  en- 
fans.  No,  it  is  two  days  and  two  nights ;  about  fifty-five 
hours  to  go  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles. 

At  half  past  eleven  to-day  were  guillotined  in  this  city 
three  women  and  four  men.  A  very  calm  observer  of  the 
ceremony  told  me  it  lasted  just  sixteen  and  a  half  minutes. 
That  the  first  executed  were  the  women ;  of  whom  one,  a 
beautiful  girl  of  twenty-two.  The  crime  alleged,  assassi 


OF    AARON  BURR. 


191 


nation  and  robbery.     I  did  not  go  to  see  the  execution,  but 
the  account  of  it  made  me  sick. 

Mons.  la  tour  du  Pin,  who  was  with  his  wife  in  the  Uni- 
ted States,  and  at  Richmond  Hill,  is  prefect  of  this  depart- 
ment, and  settled  here  with  his  wife.  I  did  not  announce 
myself,  having  so  little  reason  to  expect  civilities  from  my 
French  American  acquaintance. 

Paris,  June  22,  1811.  Arrived  at  eight  this  morning, 
having  been  just  fifty  hours  on  the  road.  The  distance, 
however,  instead  of  sixty  leagues,  as  I  told  you,  is  estima- 
ted at  seventy-two  leagues,  or  one  hundred  and  seventy- 
five  or  one  hundred  and  eighty  English  miles.  Our  route 
was  through  Mons,  Valenciennes,  Peronne,  Roije.  (See  the 
map.)  I  forgot  to  tell  you  that  you  may  compare  seasons. 
When  I  passed  through  Groningen  and  Friesland,  eighth, 
ninth,  and  tenth  of  June,  they  were  harvesting  rye,  &c. 
Cherries  and  pears  had  been  common  for  ten  days.  On 
the  way  from  Ahvers  to  Bruxells,  nineteenth  of  June,  they 
were  harvesting  rye,  &c.  The  weather,  since  I  left  Paris, 
has  been  uniformly  fine;  not  a  rainy  day.  Now  and  then  ? 
shower,  and  frequently  at  night.  Not.  a  fog  or  mist  in  aV 
the  low  countries,  so  proverbial  for  fogs.  Observe,  how 
ever,  that  such  a  season  is  not  in  the  recollection  of  an] 
man  living,  nor  one  so  forward  by  three  weeks. 

My  travelling  companions  were  a  decent  young  Dutch, 
man  ;  a  young  Dutch  Frenchman  who  sought  my  acquaint 
ance,  proposing  himself  to  return  to  Amsterdam  in  ten  days , 
an  English  or  Irishman,  formerly  in  the  French  king's  ser- 
vice ;  le  General  Chevalier  Jerningham,  concealed  from  me 
for  twenty-four  hours  that  he  could  talk  English ;  a  French 
West  India  planter,  who  had  been  taken  and  carried  into 
England  as  a  prisoner ;  was  detained  eighteen  months  ;  got 
exchanged  on  his  arrival  in  France  ;  made  prisoner  on  this 
side,  and  confined  six  months.  This  is  his  account.  That 
of  his  travels  is  truly  wonderful.  An  old  gentleman  and 
wife,  aboat  seventy-five;  their  friendship  and  tenderness  to 


192  PRIVATE  JOURNAL 

each  other  pleased  me  much.  They  got  in  at  Mons. 
There  being  no  room  inside,  the  old  gentleman  was  obliged 
to  go  outside,  to  the  great  distress  of  the  wife  ;  but  presently 
the  young  Dutchman  gave  up  his  place,  for  which  the  mar- 
ried couple  were  sufficiently  grateful.  The  details  would 
amuse  you,  but  these  we  always  reserve  for  chat. 

Through  Picardy  we  saw  scarcely  any  but  ruined  houses 
indicating  wo.  The  torment  of  the  beggars  was  distress- 
ing and  unceasing.  Throwing  in  roses  was  a  pretty  way 
of  calling  our  attention. 

The  first  day  and  night  had  a  distressing  headache  and 
much  pain  from  rny  disorder.  The  second,  a  bleeding  at 
the  nose  relieved  the  headache,  and  I  arrived  in  tolerable 
order.  But  eleven  o'clock,  mes  enfans  ;  I  must  quit  you  to 
night,  and  to-morrow  will  try  to  get  a  better  pen. 

Have  got  a  platina  pen,  but  rather  stiff.  My  Dutch 
Frenchman  proves  to  be  a  Portuguese,  settled  at  Amsterdam, 
and  of  respectable  connexions.  We  went  together  from 
the  diligence  office  to  take  lodgings  at  a  hotel  known  to 
him,  but  it  was  full,  and  could  take  neither  of  us.  We 
separated.  He  gave  six  sous  to  the  boy  who  had  brought 
our  sacks.  I  asked  the  fellow  for  how  much  he  would  go 
with  me  to  Rue  St.  Augustine.  What  I  pleased.  Offered 
fifteen  sous.  He  demanded  thirty ;  having  no  doubt  but  I 
would  give  anything,  as  no  porter  was  to  be  had  at  that 
hour;  I  consigned  him  over  to  all  the  devils,  took  my  sack 
on  my  own  shoulders,  and  engaged  the  first  hack  I  met.  It 
was  well  I  did  so,  for  we  ran  about  more  than  two  hours 
before  I  could  get  any  sort  of  room,  so  full  is  Paris  by  rea- 
son of  the  fetes  for  the  Roi  de  Rome.  At  length  got  a  room, 
about  in  the  style  of  that  I  had  left,  and  am  actually  at  Hotel  de 
Normandie,  Rue  des  Boucheries  St.  Honore,  number  three, 
where  I  should  be  very  glad  of  the  honour  of  a  visit  from  you. 
Got  a  bad  breakfast  from  a  coffee-house,  and  went  forth 
in  cabriole,  not  being  able  to  walk  without  pain,  and  fearing 
to  do  me  harm.  To  Denon's,  who  received  me  very  kindly, 


OF    AARON    BURR.  193 

and  promised  to  ask  the  duke  for  an  audience  for  me ;  to 
Madame  P.'s  ;  she  had  left  town  yesterday ;  to  Vanderlyn's ; 
he  has  neglected  your  enamelled  watch,  and  the  picture  is 
not  yet  finished  by  the  enameller. 

To  Pelouse's,  my  old  quarters.  The  family  is  broken  up. 
Mad.  Pelouse  gone  with  her  sister,  he  to  the  country.  The 
house  let  to  other  tenants.  Jul.  and  M.  were  very  glad  to 
see  me.  To  Fonzi's,  who  is  in  bad  health.  Note — he  loves 
the  table.  Home,  and  got  a. bowl  of  soup  for  my  dinner 
from  the  restaurateur,  but  so  execrable  that  I  could  not  eat 
it.  Wished  for  a  cup  of  tea,  but  in  the  whole  hotel  there  is 
not  a  teakettle,  nor  any  machine  for  heating  water.  Van- 
derlyn  came  in.  Sent  him  out  to  buy  tea  and  sugar,  and 
to  the  coffee-house  to  get  the  hot  water. 

23.  Slept  till  seven,  and  am  refreshed,  but  the  walking 
yesterday  done  me  no  good.  Went  to  Fonzi's  to  breakfast. 
Thence  to  see  Alberline,  who  is  always  belle ;  quarrelled 
with  her  friend.  To  Pelouse's,  to  get  my  cooking  and  eating 
tools  ;  got  none  ;  all  out.  To  Madame  Fenwick's,  who  re- 
ceived me  like  a  friend.  Asked  me  to  call  and  dine  at  five, 
when  she  would  have  something  to  propose  to  me.  Agreed. 
To  Bennett's,  to  see  about  your  watch.  Out.  Left  note. 
To  your  hosier.  Your  stockings  are  done,  but  not  quite  to 
my  mind.  Home.  On  the  way  got  a  new  hat;  paid  twen- 
ty-four francs,  and  two  francs  for  an  oiled  cover  to  my  cap, 
a  leathern  jockey  cap,  in  which  I  travel,  much  the  mode 
over  all  the  Continent. 

At  five  to  Fenwick's  ;  met  M.  Layons,  formerly  militaire, 
and  wearing  the  cross  of  honour,  settled  in  Illyria;  with  some 
valuable  immunities  in  commerce.  A  man  of  education  and 
talents,  of  frank,  unassuming  manners.  Am  much  pleased 
with  him. 

But  that  you  may  know  the  extent  of  my  discretion,  I 
must  tell  you  that,  to  relieve  me  from  some  of  the  evils  of 
my  journey,  I  took  medicine  in  the  morning,  intending  to 
have  stayed  at  home  and  drank  slops.  At  Fenwick's  I  was 


194  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

obliged  to  eat  a  little  and  to  drink  a  little,  both  very  bad. 
Then  the  weather  threatened  rain  ;  the  evening  was  chilly ; 
I  was  thinly  clad,  and  had  no  surtout.  Again  the  number  of 
carriages  was  so  immense  that,  though  we  had  tickets  of 
admission  from  the  commanding  general,  there  must  be  a 
great  deal  of  walking,  which  is  most  pernicious.  Never- 
theless, at  half  past  seven  we  got  into  the  chariot.  Pass- 
ing les  Champs  Elysees,  voila,  says  Fenwick,  la  maison  ou 
fait  les  meilleurs  glacis  ;  allez  M.  L.  commandez  des  glaces. 
The  carriage  stopped  ;  Mr.  L.  went  and  brought  us  ice- 
creams. I  swallowed  a  whole  one,  and  we  drank  water  after. 
Going  on,  I  felt  a  strange  numbness  at  my  stomach,  which 
brought  to  my  mind  the  fate  of  my  friend  General  G.,  who, 
having  taken  a  dose  of  medicine,  some  time  after  drank  a 
glass  of  cold  water,  and  in  an  hour  was  dead.  It  seemed 
to  me  that  I  was  about  to  follow  his  example ;  and,  being  in 
good  company,  and  feeling  no  pain,  there  could  not  be  a  more 
charming  occasion  for  an  exit.  I  became  very  gay  ;  and 
Fenwick  said  I  was  never  so  amiable.  The  affair,  how- 
ever, took  a  very  different  course,  and  I  was  obliged  "  to  do 
as  people  do  in  France." 

The  sky  was  clouded,  but  no  rain.  The  night  was  per- 
fectly adapted  to  exhibit  fireworks  and  illuminations  to  ad- 
vantage. The  romantic  position  of  St.  Cloud  afforded 
the  opportunity  of  varying  the  exhibitions.  They  were 
beautiful  and  magnificent.  After  the  fireworks  were  done, 
Mr.  L.  proposed  that  he  and  I  should  walk  along  the  river 
and  about  the  palace,  to  see  the  various  illuminations.  Fen- 
wick recommended  this;  we  saw  her  in  the  carriage,  and 
she  went  off.  We  were  to  take  our  chance  for  a  hack.  Mr. 
L.,  not  being  well  acquainted  with  the  ground,  and  the  con- 
fusion produced  by  the  variety  of  light,  led  us  astray.  It 
now  began  to  rain  hard  ;  we  had  no  surtouts  or  umbrellas. 
When  we  reached  the  bridge,  there  was  nothing  to  be  seen 
which  we  had  not  before  seen  from  a  better  point  of  view. 
We  therefore  took  shelter  in  the  first  house  we  could  get 


OF    AARON    BURR.  195 

in ;  but  the  crowd  was  so  immense  lhat  even  this  was  dif- 
ficult. At  length  we  found  room  to  stand  up  under  cover. 
Mr.  L.  then  went  out  to  hunt  a  carriage.  All  were  engaged. 
He  went  in  another  direction,  arid,  after  an  hour,  returned 
without  success.  He  was  not  to  be  discouraged.  Out  he 
went  again  A  guinea  was  asked  for  a  seat  to  town,  about 
six  or  seven  miles  ;  and  then  you  must  be  crammed  with  six 
or  eight  drenched  people.  At  half  past  one  he  returned  with 
a  carriage ;  at  what  price  I  know  not,  for  he  would  not  let 
me  interfere. 

During  the  two  or  three  hours  that  Mr.  L.  was  coach- 
hunting,  I  amused  myself  in  the  crowd.  It  is  supposed 
that  there  were  at  least  sixty  thousand  women  on  foot.  The 
rain  continued  without  intermission  till  sunrise.  The  wo- 
men had  a  gown  and  chemise  only.  They  generally  drew 
the  gown  over  their  heads,  to  protect  their  bonnets  and  caps, 
artificial  flowers,  &c.,  and  raised  the  chemise  up  to  the 
knees  to  keep  it  from  the  mud.  A  lady  thus  caparisoned 
was  walking  just  before  me,  her  chemise  adhering  to  the 
skin,  and  rendered  transparent  by  the  wet;  a  gentleman 
near  me  and  behind  her  said,  Madame,  en  voit  des  lineament 
tous  les  traits  de  votre  visage,  qui  est  tres  beau  (it  was,  in- 
deed, very  large),  but,  Lord !  how  she  did  abuse  him. 
There  were  constant  sallies  of  this  kind,  which  the  distress- 
ed women  always  took  very  ill.  We  arrived  in  town  be- 
tween three  and  four,  broad  daylight.  There  were  five 
lines  of  carriages  abreast,  generally  walking,  and  often  stop- 
ping for  fifteen  or  twenty  minutes ;  so  that  we  were  nearly 
three  hours  on  the  way.  The  way  was  yet  full  of  pedestri- 
ans, and  there  were  many  thousands  behind  us.  The  time 
was  by  no  means  tedious.  My  friend  was  not  sleepy,  and 
we  were  (I  believe)  mutually  amused. 

It  is  supposed  that  there  were  out  upward  of  250,000 
people  and  five  or  six  thousand  carriages,  cabrioles  included. 
I  heard  the  cost  and  loss  of  the  female  inspection  estimated 

12 


196  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

as  follows.     If  there  were  another  fete  to-morrow  at  the 
same  distance,  they  would  all  be  out  again. 

50,000  pairs  of  shoes  (they  will  always  be  well  shod),  at  two  francs 

ten  sous 150,000 

Hats,  caps,  ribands,  artificial  flowers,  gauzes,  &c.,  ruined  or  deteri- 
orated, twenty  francs  each 1,000,000 

Washing,  &c.,  200,000  pieces,  the  cost  of  fuel  and  soap,  only  add 

three  sous  each 30,000 

Contingencies 20,000 

One  million  two  hundred  thousand  francs 1,200,000 

24.  In  this  sketch  of  the  fete  of  St.  Cloud  I  have  not 
told  you  a  fiftieth  part  of  the  incidents  and  spectacles,  which, 
if  written,  would  amuse  you.     Enough,  however,  to  show 
you   how  impossible  it  would  be  for  me  to  undertake   to 
write  you  details.     I  should  do  nothing  else.     It  is  neces- 
sary, therefore,  to  confine  myself  to  the  single  article  of  the 
places  where  I  have   been   and    the  persons  I  have  seen 
And,  again  and  again,  I  pray  you  to  recollect  that  this  is  not 
a  journal  to  read,  but  mere  notes  from  which  to  talk  or  to 
speak,  like   a  lawyer.     It   is  my  brief,  from  which  I  shall 
make  you  and  Gampillo  many  and  many  a  speech. 

Rose  at  eight,  having  slept  very  little.  The  lodgers  were 
continually  entering  with  great  noise.  Mr.  De  Veer  called 
just  as  I  got  up,  and  sat  an  hour.  A  young  Hollander,  of 
extraordinary  talents  and  energy  of  character.  Called  on 
Fonzi ;  very  ill,  abed. 

25.  Bonnett  called  at  ten  to  talk  about  your  watch.     He 
was  in  such  a  hurry  that  he  had  not  time  to  sit  down.     Be- 
ing a  great  talker,  though  very  amusing,  he  sat  till  half  past 
twelve,  and  till  I  told  him  I  was  engaged  and  must  go  out. 

To  Denon's,  who  had  seen  the  duke,  who  will  give  me 
audience  incessamment,  which  may  come  in  three  weeks. 
Denon  advises  me  to  write  to  him,  and  told  me  what  to 
write.  Walked  over  to  Vanderlyn,  who  was  busy  with  his 
beautiful  model,  who  consented  that  I  should  assist,  and  in 
I  came.  At  three  took  Vanderlvn  to  the  enarneller's.  He 


OF    AARON    BURR.  197 

will  make  a  horrid  thing,  and  I  fear  you  will  be  little  pleased, 
except  with  my  endeavours  to  please  you. 

Dinner  with  Vanderlyn  at  a  restaurateur's.  Made  a  very 
bad  dinner  on  things  which,  if  differently  dressed,  that  is, 
tout  simple,  and  not  dressed  at  all,  I  should  have  feasted. 
Drank  no  wine.  In  the  evening  to  Fonzi's.  He  is  some- 
thing better.  Wants  nothing  but  an  emetic,  and  to  be  put 
on  short  allowance  for  a  month.  Found  Blauw's  card  on 
coming  in. 

26.  M.  Layons  called  early  and  sat  an  hour.  He  has 
been  urging  me  to  make  a  tour  through  Italy  and  Illyria, 
and  set  no  bounds  to  the  kindnesses  and  facilities  which  he 
offers ;  and,  when  I  may  wish  to  depart,  has  a  ship  at  my  com- 
mand to  take  me  to  Malta  or  Gibraltar,  where  may  always 
be  had  passages  to  the  United  States.  He  is  so  zealous 
that  he  has  engaged  Fenwick  to  join  in  solicitations  ;  but 
her  good  sense  sees  too  justly  to  approve  of  a  waste  of  time 
so  alluring.  I  have  promised  Mr.  L.  that,  a  few  years  hence, 
I  will  make  this  tour  with  you  and  Gampillo. 

Wrote  Duke  Bassano  demanding  audience. 

Last  night  slept  very  ill.  A  burning  heat  and  headache. 
Had  locked  my  door  to  prevent  intrusion.  At  half  past  seven 
a  violent  and  repeated  knocking.  Got  up  in  a  rage  to  repel 
the  insolence.  It  was  the  valet  of  Fenwick,  who  was  at  the 
door  in  her  carriage  waiting  to  speak  to  me.  A  summons 
to  breakfast  at  eleven  with  Layons,  the  general  commanding 
the  artillery,  and  another.  Said  I  would  go.  To  prepare 
for  the  occasion,  took  a  dish  of  coffee.  Threw  it  off  my 
stomach  in  five  minutes.  Tried  a  dish  of  tea ;  the  same 
result.  Then  a  glass  of  water,  with  eau  de  Cologne  and 
sugar.  This  was  followed  by  vomiting  and  violent  retch- 
ings. Then  lay  down.  At  twelve  a  little  less  pain  in  the 
head,  and  the  stomach  quiet.  Dressed,  and  went  to  Fen 
wick's ;  but  the  party  was  gone.  Madame  engaged  me  to 
dine  to-morrow.  Walked  about  to  do  errands,  but  quite  ill. 
Vanderlyn  called  and  made  similar  complaints.  Have  no 


198  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

doubt  but  the  green  beans  we  had  yesterday  for  dinner,  and 
of  which  I  ate  the  greatest  part,  had  been  cooked  in  a  cop- 
per to  brighten  the  colour,  and,  like  enough,  had  stood  in  the 
vessel  twenty-four  hours,  and  then  been  warmed  for  us. 

27.  Slept  perfectly  well  last  night.     The  copper  has  pass- 
ed off.     Called  on  Bonnett  this  morning,  and,  in  spite  of  all 
I  could  do,  he  kept  me  nearly  an  hour  talking.     Bought  me 
a  silver  repealer  for  seven  louis.     Fear  I  shall  not  be  able 
to  buy  a  watch  for  my  dear  little  boy.     To  Layons's.     He 
was  out.     To  Mr.  Griswold's,  where  an  hour.     A  wonder- 
fully analytic  head.     To  Denon's,  to  get  tickets  for  the  grand 
review  to-morrow.     Out.     To  Nane's.     Out.     Met  him  on 
my  return,  and  went  home  with  him.     He  said  he  had  come 
from  my  house.     N.  has  been  cold  the  last  three  months, 
but  is  now  in  trouble,  and  thought  I  could  be  useful.     Shall 
most  cheerfully  use  my  endeavours.     Of  some  errands,  and 
then  home. 

At  five  to  Fenwick's  to  dine.  Met  le  general  and  a  cousin 
who  had  been  to  Mexico,  to  Louisiana,  to  Cuba,  and  had 
seen  and  known  a  thousand  things  which  I  neither  knew, 
nor  had  seen,  nor  had  heard.  Was  much  surprised  to  hear 
of  a  nation  of  anthropophagi  within  200  miles  of  New-Or- 
leans, who  every  year  devoured  whole  crews  of  American 
seamen,  who,  through  ignorance,  put  into  St.  Bernard's  Bay 
Madame  took  a  promenade  with  the  general  on  horseback 
Saw  her  mounted,  and  then  came  home.  Crede  called  ir 
the  evening.  I  wrote  you  till  bedtime  about  the  St.  Cloud's 
day.  Have  done  nothing  for  my  disorder,  but,  in  spite  of 
all  my  irregularities,  it  is  passing  off. 

28.  At  seven  this  morning  carne  in  Mir.     These  frequent 
visits  seem  to  have  no  motive  of  interest,  but  merely  for  the 
love  of  God.     Note,  Madame  Gardell,  the  celebrated  opera- 
dancer,  is  tres  devote.     After  dancing  and  showing  her  form 
for  half  an  hour,  she  immediately  says  her  prayers.     Then 
another  turn  on  the  stage ;  and  thus  the  account  is  kept  and 
balanced. 


OF    AARON    BURR.  199 

La  belle  Recamier  is  also  devote ;  but,  with  her  religion, 
is  lovely.  Gods,  what  proselytes  she  would  make  if  she 
would  turn  apostle  and  preach.  Pray,  madame,  ought  the 
business  of  religion  to  be  wholly  in  the  hands  of  women  as 
preachers  and  teachers  ?  Madame  R.  is  an  angel  of  benev- 
olence. 

De  Veer  came  in  at  nine.  At  eleven  to  Denon's.  He 
was  closeted  with  the  ministers,  and  invisible.  Wrote  in 
his  audience-chamber  a  note  and  sent  it  in.  He  came 
out.  Got  two  tickets  for  the  review.  Wished  for  four,  for 
Fenwick  and  her  friends,  but  was  too  late. 

Called  at  Crede's.  Out.  At  Paschaud's ;  with  surprise, 
with  joy,  with  rapture,  received  your  two  letters  of  January 
and  March,  1811.  The  bad  things  you  relate  are  not  half 
so  bad  as  you  think.  I  will  set  them  right.  You  give  me 
more  information  and  light  than  you  supposed  ;  yes,  I  hasten 
to  your  relief  and  comfort .  Alas  !  poor  A.  B.  R.,  he  loved 
us  sincerely. 

Gampilla's  letters  are  all  lost.  A  greater  loss  to  me  than 
the  works  of  Menander  or  Tacitus.  My  dear  Theodosia, 
how  well  you  write.  Pos.  you  must  write  a  book.  I  have 
got  the  subject,  but  have  no  time  to  talk  of  this  now. 

To  Fenwick's.  Gave  her  the  two  tickets  for  her  and 
Layons,  whom  met  there.  For  certain  reasons,  refusing  my- 
self to  be  of  the  party.  But  Fenwick  has  ordered  me  to 
call  on  her  on  Sunday  morning  at  half  past  seven.  After 
Layons  went  out,  she  said  something  had  affected  me  ;  she 
was  right.  I  told  her  of  A.  B.  Reeves,  and  made  his  eulogy. 
She  mingled  a  tear  with  mine. 

To  Fonzi's.  He  is  better.  Engaged  to  eat  soup  with 
him  to-day.  Home  for  an  hour,  which  passed  in  writing 
this  and  the  preceding  ;  for  now  I  have  catched  you  up,  and 
I  may  tell  you  a  secret,  viz.,  that  I  have  been  behind-hand 
ever  since  my  return,  having  written  you  nothing  since  last 
Sunday  till  yesterday  and  to-day,  and  will  try  hard  to  keep 
up,  but  fear  not,  for  I  have  got  many  things  to  see  for  you, 

VOL.  II.  13 


200  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

and  some  to  buy,  sixpenny  things  only;  and  then  to  run  after 
the  ministers  and  the  police-officers  about  my  passport,  foi 
I  tremble  every  hour  lest  something  should  transpire  to  de- 
tain me. 

Have  been  to  Fonzi's  to  dine.  Madame  was  there,  hav- 
ing come  in  from  the  country ;  and  we  were,  contrary  to  late 
habits  (for  she  thinks  I  don't  like  her),  extremely  amiable  to 
each  other.  I  have  promised  to  go  and  pass  Wednesday 
next  in  the  country  with  her.  Fonzi's  goodness  and  patience 
are  not  exhausted  by  fifteen  months  of  vexation  and  impor- 
tunity ;  he  anticipates  (this  platina  pen  is  loo  stiff;  see  what 
scrawls  it  makes)  and  proposes  to  do  all  I  would  desire. 

Home  at  seven.  Vanderlyn  came  in  to  report  what  he  had 
been  doing,  for  I  am  obliged  to  scold  him  (how  much  better 
you  would  do  this)  to  keep  him  at  work,  in  order  that  he 
may  go  with  me.  If  he  does  not  go  to  the  United  States,  I 
anticipate  much  trouble  for  him  in  another  year.  And  now 
please  to  let  me  read  again  your  letter,  and  a  very  interesting 
one  received  at  the  same  time  from  Erich  Bollman.  How 
they  came  I  do  not  know ;  but  since  their  landing,  through 
the  French  postoffice,  and  unopened,  which  gives  me  pleas- 
ure, as  it  shows  they  have  come  to  a  better  way  of  thinking 
of  me. 

29.  Passed  the  whole  day  at  Fonzi's.     Dined  with  him 
at  a  table  d'hote.     Tres  bien.    He  paid.     Home  at  half  past 
seven.     Had  just  undressed,  and  had  set  down  to  write  to 
you,  when  in  came  Vanderlyn.     In  half  an  hour  came  Lay- 
ons,  who  sat  out  Vanderlyn,  and  stayed  till  half  past  eleven. 
He  is  to  call  on  me  at  two.     We  are  to  take  an  early  din- 
ner, to  call  on  Fenwick  at  four,  and  thence  to  the  Louvre,  from 
the  windows  of  which  we  are  to  see  the  review,  which  is  to 
be  very  magnificent,  and  now  must  prepare  to  work. 

30.  Extremely  grave,  with  a  face  wrapped  in  pudding — 
a  pudding  of  bread,  brandy,  and  pepper.     Rose  at  six.     At 
eight  to   Fenwick's.     She  renounced  the  sight  of  the  re- 
view, and  puts  me  in  the  hands  of  the  chevalier,  and  returns 


OF    AARON    BURR.  201 

me  the  tickets  of  admission.  Thence  to  D.'s.  to  excuse 
myself  from  dining  with  him.  It  was  quite  unnecessary, 
for  he  had  forgotten  it,  and  was  just  going  to  the  country  to 
pass  the  day;  so  kept  my  apology  for  the  next  occasion. 
Home  to  breakfast.  Out  on  several  errands,  but  home 
at  two  to  receive  the  chevalier,  who  was  punctual.  Went 
to  a  restaurateur's  au  Palais  Royal,  which  you  observe 
n'est  que  deux  pas  de  raon  logi.  Had  a  great  dinner,  of 
which,  except  the  potage,  I  scarcely  tasted,  and  excellent 
wine.  At  half  past  four  to  Fenwick's,  who  engaged  us 
to  pass  the  evening  and  sup  with  half  a  dozen  or  more  of 
the  militaires.  At  five  to  the  Louvre,  but  we  should  never 
hare  reached  it  without  his  riband  and  star,  for  we  were 
at  least  twenty  times  stopped  by  sentinels,  the  troops  being 
already  paraded  in  the  square,  through  which  we  had  to  pass. 
Got  in,  and  then  another  embarrassment.  Every  window 
was  occupied.  But  his  star  and  his  eloquence  relieved  us 

again,  and  the  (chose)  gave  us  a  nice  little  cabinet 

with  a  window  to  ourselves,  in  the  best  possible  position. 
But  this  window  would  not  open,  which  obstructed  the  light, 

and,  besides,  we  wanted  air.  He  called  the again,  but 

there  was  no  remedy ;  the  window  was  not  made  to  open. 
What  a  pity, 

I  observed  that,  if  we  should  break  one  of  th,ose  immense 
large  panes,  it  would  be  only  an  accident,  for  which  we 
could  pay,  and  then  we  should  have  air  and  prospect.  He 
seized  a  billet  of  wood  and  demolished  the  pane.  It  made 
a  great  noise,  and  the  glass  fell  down  among  the  military; 
but  the  thing  was  done,  and  we  enjoyed  the  benefit.  There 
were  about  five  or  six  thousand  horse,  and  seven  or  eight 
thousand  foot.  My  dear  Gampillo,  to  answer  all  your  ques- 
tions about  dress,  there  are  ten  pictures,  which  you  may 
examine  at  your  leisure. 

At  the  moment  his  majesty  appeared,  came  on,  contrary 
to  all  custom,  a  smart  shower  of  rain,  which  lasted  a  full 
hour,  and  his  majesty  and  his  suite,  and  the  troops,  must 


202  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

have  been  wet  to  the  skin.  After  some  of  the  regiments 
had  passed  the  review  and  gone  off,  the  artillery,  and  about 
thirty-two  pieces,  drawn  each  by  four  horses,  and  followed 
by  135  carriages  and  wagons,  with  furnaces,  &c.,  entered  at 
one  side,  passed  near  the  arcade  of  the  Tuileries,  where 
his  majesty  then  stood,  and  out  at  the  other  side.  The  whole 
exhibition  was  magnificent  and  imposing. 

After  the  review,  eight  o'clock,  which  was  not  yet  sunset, 
we  came  off.  I  apologized  for  the  window,  and  gave  the 
Mr.  (chose)  a  piece  of  gold,  with  which  he  seemed  happy. 
I  imagine  the  glass  will  be  charged  to  his  majesty's  account. 
The  chevalier  led  me  au  Palais  Royal ;  after  strolling  an 
hour,  into  a  caffe  in  a  cellar,  which  I  will  describe  as  well  as 
I  can.  We  took  ice-creams.  There  was  music  and  a  ven- 
triloquist. 

We  agreed  to  neglect  Madame  Fenwick.  At  half  past 
ten  I  got  home.  The  chevalier  would  see  me  to  my  quar- 
ters, and  set.  half  an  hour.  I  had  been  for  two  hours  in 
torment  with  a  toothache,  and  by  this  time  a  swelling.  The 
pudding  has  already  (twelve  o'clock)  relieved  the  pain,  but 
I  much  fear  that  the  face  will  not  be  in  condition  to  exhibit 
to-morrow. 

Found,  on  coming  in,  a  very  satisfactory  letter  from  Fa- 
brius  and  De  Man  about  the  Holland  Company  affairs. 

Paris,  July  1,  1811.  Slept  perfectly  sound  till  half  past 
eight,  and  then  waked  by  the  entrance  of  the  servant  of  Mir., 

whom,  for  this  time,  I  wished  to  the .  To  my  great 

joy,  the  swelling  and  pain  are  both  entirely  gone.  Bonnett 
came  in  and  sat  two  hours ;  he  is  extremely  amusing. 
Agreed  to  walk  with  him  this  evening. 

At  twelve  to  Fenwick's,  who  did  scold  me  at  a  round  rate 
for  not  coming  to  sup  last  evening,  and  really  told  me  things 
which  made  me  regret.  I  laid  it  all  to  the  chevalier,  and 
said  nothing  of  the  toothache.  To  the  chevalier's,  whom 
met  at  his  door.  Went  in  and  sat  two  hours.  We  were 
led  to  talk  of  Mexican  affairs,  of  which  everybody  whc 


OF    AARON    BURR.  203 

knows  me  has  heard.  I  do  believe  that,  if  we  had  known 
each  other  fifteen  months  ago,  I  should  have  done  something 
in  that  business.  But  now  I  am  resolved  that  nothing  shall 
deter  me  from  joining  you  this  autumn.  He  engaged  me  to 
dine  with  him,  and  proposed  to  call  on  me  at  half  past  four. 
Thence  to  Fonzi's,  where  half  an  hour.  To  D'Alberg's. 
Out.  To  Denon's.  He  had  company  to  breakfast,  and 
they  were  just  setting  down  to  table  (four  o'clock),  so  I  did 
not  go  up,  but  left  my  name.  To  Crede's,  and  then  home. 

The  chevalier  was  already  waiting  in  my  room,  and  also 
Jul.  The  latter  I  dismissed  as  soon  as  possible.  The  chev- 
alier had  brought  a  carriage,  and  said  that,  as  I  was  indisposed, 
he  had  thought  a  ride  would  do  me  good.  We  rode  an  hour 
through  les  Champs  Elysees,  &c.,  then  to  dinner  at  Mandit's 
au  Palais  Royal,  where  we  had  a  cabinet.  Yesterday  we 
dined,  as  is  the  custom  here,  in  the  public  room,  where  are 
twenty,  or  thirty,  or  more  small  tables.  The  chevalier  re- 
newed, with  great  interest,  the  subject  of  Mexico.  He  has 
a  great  many  good  ideas ;  some  new  ones.  But  don't  be 
alarmed,  mes  enfans,  I  tell  you  I  will  embark  for  the  United 
States.  But  why  had  I  not  known  the  chevalier  eighteen 
months  ago  ? 

I  regretted  much  my  appointment  with  Bonnett,  but  came 
home  to  observe  it.  The  chevalier  came  with  me,  and  sat 
till  Bonnett  came. 

After  sitting  an  hour  with  Bonnett,  we  went  au  Palais 
Royal,  where,  after  strolling  an  hour,  we  took  ice-creams  and 
strolled  again.  Went  for  five  minutes  into  a  famous  gam- 
bling-house. Many  stars  and  ribands.  When  the  number 
of  the  house  is  transparent,  i.  e.,  on  a  box  where  is  a  lamp, 
it  is  the  signal  of  a  gambling-house.  I  contemplated  with 
pity  the  anxious  faces.  My  guide  proposed  to  take  me  to 
another  of  celebrity,  which  opens  every  night  at  half  past 
eleven,  and  lasts  till  a  late  hour  in  the  morning.  But  I  de- 
clined, and  came  home  at  eleven. 

The  Palais  Royal,  built  by  Orleans,  has  never  been  fin- 


204  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

ished  according  to  the  original  design.  It  is — but  we  will 
describe  it  the  first  evening  we  have  nothing  else  to  do  at 
Greriville. 

2.  A  dish  of  strong  coffee,  which  I  drank  with  the  chev- 
alier, kept  me  awake  till  five.  At  six  came  in  Jul.  Not- 
withstanding my  drowsiness,  was  really  glad  to  see  her,  and 
received  her  most  cordially.  Got  up,  made  my  breakfast, 
and  went  forth.  ToFonzi's  for  a  few  minutes.  Then  took 
cabriole  and  went  over  to  Vanderlyn's  on  an  errand.  On 
my  return  called  on  Denon.  He  had  seen  the  duke,  who 
excused  himself  on  account  of  extraordinary  occupation 
(which  is  really  true),  and  asked  Denon  if  he  thought  my 
affair  was  pressing.  Par  dieu ;  I  shall  satisfy  him  on  that 
"head  by  a  letter.  Home  at  eleven  to  meet  De  Veer.  He 
had  called  at  half  past  ten  and  gone  off.  This  is  as  wnpunc- 
tual  as  if  he  had  called  at  twelve,  for  eleven  was  his  own 
appointment.  Went  to  his  lodgings.  Out.  Left  note, 
which  had  written  in  case  of  not  finding  him. 

The  chevalier  came  in  and  sat  an  hour.  Engaged  me  to 
dine,  that  we  might  have  a  talk.  De  Veer  came  in  and  sat 
some  time,  being  kept  by  the  hardest  shower  I  have  seen  in 
Europe,  with  heavy  thunder.  To  Fonzi's ;  nothing  done. 
He  is  just  such  a  careless  fellow  as  Dr.  B.  To  Crede's. 
Home.  Found  the  chevalier  waiting  in  my  room.  We 
dined  again  in  a  cabinet  at  Mandil's.  The  dinner  was  very 
good,  but  I  had  no  appetite,  and  everything  I  eat  does  me 
harm.  Pos.  I  will  starve  it  out. 

After  dinner  we  called  on  Fenwick,  who  received  us  in 
bed,  being  quite  indisposed.  Sat  an  hour  debating  various 
comical  things.  Wish  you  could  have  been  present.  Agreed 
that  French  women  are  of  cold  blood,  and  have  love  only  in 
the  head.  Hence,  never  carried  away  by  passion,  but  al- 
ways by  calculation. 

Home  at  nine,  and  at  half  past  ten  was  going  to  bed,  when 

came  in.  He  has  always  something  to  tell  me  about 

his  chere  amie,  who  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  women  I 


OF    AARON    BURR.  205 

have  seen,  and  who  loves  him  most  ardently,  and  not,  I  think, 
from  "the  head."     All  this  is  written  to-morrow. 

3.  Was  waked  at  seven  by  a  woman  who  brought  me  a 
pound  of  coffee  burned  according  to  my  instructions.  Slept 
an  hour  and  a  half  longer.  Copied  some  queries  relating  to 
the  Holland  Company.  Wrote  letter  to  Duke  Bassano. 
De  Veer,  who  was  to  have  called  at  eleven,  came  at  half 
past  twelve.  Got  him  to  mend  my  letter.  He  has  procured 
me  a  rendezvous  with  le  Senateur  Comte  Schimmelpennink 
for  Friday  next.  He  is  one  of  the  trustees  of  the  Holland 
Company. 

At  two  to  Fonzi's ;  nothing  done.  Met  there  the  femme 
with  whom  I  had  engaged  to  dine  to-day  in  the  country. 
Got  that  put  off  till  to-morrow,  for  I  had  just  received  sum- 
mons from  Fenwick  to  meet  the  chevalier  at  her  house. 
Home.  Took  cabriole  to  Duke  de  Bassano's.  Left  my  let- 
ter, and  went  into  le  Bureau  des  Passeports  Etrangeres.  Le 
chef  received  me  civilly,  as  in  this  department  I  have  always 
been  received.  He  promised  to  communicate  my  affair  to 
the  duke  on  Friday,  and  begged  me  to  call  on  Saturday. 
Thinks  I  will  meet  with  no  delay  or  embarras. 

To  Vanderlyn's,  where  the  beautiful  D.  C.,  who  has 
deigned  to  sit  for  the  head,  neck,  and  arms,  all  which,  I  sus- 
pect a  great  deal  more,  are  very  fine.  Home.  Paid  cabri- 
ole-man three  francs  ten  sous.  To  Fenwick's,  where  met 
the  chevalier.  Had  more  comical  discussion.  The  cheva- 
lier came  home  with  rne  after  we  had  walked  an  hour  in 
the  Tuileries.  He  sat  another  hour  with  me,  and  so  good- 
night. 

4.  It  was  past  one  when  I  left  you  last  night.  After 
breakfast,  wrote  Fabrius  and  De  Man,  and  copied  several  pa- 
pers for  them.  At  twelve  came  in  Crede,  and  sat  an  hour. 
He  is  full  of  trouble.  Sor.  at  two  along  the  Boulevard  to 
buy  Bayle's  works  and  Dictionary,  eight  vols.,  elegantly 
bound,  and  very  large  volumes.  You  will  see  ruin  in  such  a 
purchase.  Hold  a  little,  madame.  I  can  buy  them  at  eight 


206  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

sous  a  pound.  Yes,  a  pound ;  but  have  not  bought.  Hope 
to  get  them  for  seven.  To  Vanderlyn's,  where  an  hour. 
Thence  to  Fonzi's,  and  with  him  to  dine  at  his  campagna. 
We  rode  part  of  the  way ;  the  residue,  about  half  a  league, 
on  foot;  all  the  way  up,  up,  up — called  Bellevue.  The 
view  would,  indeed,  be  fine  if  one  had  ever  a  clear  sky. 
After  dinner  played  at  shuttlecock.  Walked  home,  about 
a  league.  Found  Bonnett  had  called,  and  the  chevalier  twice. 
Vanderlyn  came  in  and  sat  an  hour,  and  now,  at  eleven,  must 
prepare  for  bed,  having  given  orders  to  be  called  at  six. 

5.  Rose  at  six,  and  sorti  at  eight  to  Bennett's.  My  silver 
repeater  is  ready.  Bonnett  was  in  a  great  hurry,  just  going 
out ;  but  talked  an  hour.  To  the  chevalier's ;  out.  Left 
note  that  I  would  call  again  at  four.  Home.  De  Veer  came 
in  and  took  me  out  to  a  coffee-house,  where  he  breakfasted 
and  I  read  newspapers.  Home,  and  then  to  Schimmelpen- 
nink's.  Had  heard  of  him  many  years  ago  as  ambassador  to 
England,  and  knew  that  he  was  now  senator  and  blind. 
Supposed  he  must  be  at  least  an  octogenaire.  He  is  a 
handsome  man,  and  would  pass  for  forty-five,  very  cheerful, 
and  well  bred.  From  the  appearance  of  his  eyes  you  would 
not  suspect  he  was  blind.  Passed  half  an  hour  talking  of 
Holland  Company  affairs,  and  agreed  to  call  again.  Home. 
Le  chevalier  came  in  and  sat  half  an  hour.  How  unfortu- 
nate that  I  did  not  know  him  fifteen  months  ago  !  He  goes 
to-morrow.  To  Fonzi's,  where  till  four.  Home. 

De  Veer  had  called  twice  during  my  absence.  Called  on 
him  and  left  note,  acknowledging  the  loss  of  a  dinner  (a  silly 
wager),  and  offering  to  pay  him  to-day.  Home,  and  made 
myself  tea.  Bonnett  came  in  at  seven,  and  soon  after  De 
Veer.  As  Bonnett  had  been  in  Dutch  service  and  speaks 
the  language,  they  became  acquainted.  De  Veer  sat  till 
nine,  and  Bonnett  till  eleven.  His  stories  are  generally  very 
good  and  well  told.  Remind  me  to  tell  you  that  between 
the  governor,  De  Veer,  and  his  secretary,  Van  Aanen,  about 
a  certificate  of  baptism.  Wrote  last  night  and  this  morn- 
ing to  Fabrius  and  De  Man. 


OF    AARON    BCRR.  207 

6.  Rose   at  half  past   four.    'Copied    some    papers   for 
Schimmelpennink,  and  wrote  him  a  note  to  accompany  them, 
which  sent  by  a  commissionaire.     At  nine  to  Crede's,  and 
with  him  to  Vauquelin's,  to  learn  about  wood  vinegar.     To 
Denon's.     He  will  see  Duke  Bassano  to-day  for  me.     Gave 
me  very  civil  note  to  Mr.  Lammonnier,  administrateur  de  la 
manufacture  des  Gobelins.     To  a  coffee-house,  where  had 
rendezvous  with  De  Veer,  and   there  met   him.     Walked 
home  with  me.     Found  a  note  from  Fenwick  commanding 
me  to  dinner,  and  for  the  play  to-night.     Answered  "  Oui." 
De  Veer  came  in  with  him  to  go  to  the  Gobelins.     He  had 
given  rendezvous  to  three  other  of  his  countrymen,  to  meet 
us  there,  and  to  profit  of  my  note  from  Denon.     We  all 
met  there.     One  of  them  had  served  with  Bonnett  in  Cur- 
racoa,  and  was  delighted  to  hear  he  was  in  town. 

The  degree  of  perfection  to  which  tapestry  (if  such  it 
may  be  called)  is  brought  in  this  manufactory,  is  matter  of 
admiration  and  astonishment.  The  establishment  belongs 
to  the  government,  and  works  only  for  his  majesty.  A  piece, 
not  of  the  largest  size,  of  which  I  inquired,  had  been  four 
years  in  hand,  and  it  was  expected  would  be  finished  in  two 
or  three  years  more.  I  will  explain  to  you  and  Gampillo 
the  mode  in  some  of  our  long  evenings. 

Home  at  five,  and  to  Fenwick's  to  dine.  We  were  tete- 
a-tete  ;  but  the  chevalier  came  in  while  we  were  dining. 
He  leaves  town  this  night.  Madame  and  I  went  to  the 
Franpois  to  hear  Talma  and  D.  in  Manlius.  We  heard 

Talma,  but  Valeria  was  played  by ,  something  having 

prevented  M'lle.  D.  We  sat  near  M'lle.  de  Lille,  a  very  fa- 
mous opera-dancer.  The  price  of  the  orchestra  seats  is 
six  francs  twelve  sous.  From  the  theatre  went  to  the  chev- 
alier's. Walked  half  an  hour.  Home  and  to  bed  at  twelve. 

7.  At  ten  came  in  the  chevalier  and  passed  half  an  hour. 
His  carriage  was  then  waiting  for  him.     We  took  leave,  but 
shall  not  forget  each  other.     Then  De  Veer  and  a  young  Hol- 
lander for  a  few  minutes.     At  eleven  to  Bennett's.     Found 


208  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

him  very  happy  with  the  'friend  to  whom  I  gave  his  address 
yesterday.  To  Fenwick's  to  breakfast.  Strolled  and  bought 
you  two  pictures  of  his  majesty,  which  I  thought  more  like 
than  any  others,  and  some  small  engravings ;  for  the  whole, 
six  francs.  Home.  A  grievous  headache  had  been  coming 
on,  and  was  by  this  time  very  troublesome.  To  Fonzi's. 
Gaud,  had  gone  out,  and  Fonzi  was  sick.  Passed  two  hours 
rummaging  among  my  papers,  which  left  in  his  care  when  I 
went  to  Holland.  Vanderlyn  came  in  and  walked  home 
with  me.  He  then  went  out  to  dine,  and  I  made  fire.  The 
last  three  or  four  days  very  chilly  weather.  Drank  hot  vine- 
gar punch.  At  seven  V.  came  in  and  we  walked  till  nine, 
and  he  sat  with  me  till  ten.  My  headache  no  better,  and 
at  half  past  eleven  am  going  to  try  the  effect  of  sleep. 

8.  Still  some  headache  and  no  appetite.  Took  tea  and  a 
small  piece  of  bread.  At  ha-lf  past  ten  to  Denon's.  He  had 
seen  the  duke,  who  apologized  as  before,  and  says  he  will 
see  me  "  le  premier  jour."  Denon  advises  me  to  write 
again,  and  tells  me  what.  He  made  me  present  of  his  "  Voy- 
age in  Egypte."  To  Bennett's,  from  whom  I  had  a  note  this 
morning,  telling  me  he  was  sick.  We  had  consultation  about 
your  watch,  which  I  perceive  will  ruin  me  ;  and,  to  enhance 
the  evil,  have  got  another  whim  in  my  head  which  will  add 
several  louis  to  the  cost,  i.  e.,  to  enamel  on  the  other  side  the 
picture  of . 

At  twelve  to  Fonzi's.  Instead  of  doing  our  work,  we 
passed  two  hours  in  ridiculous  philosophical  experiments — 
the  important  object  of  which  is,  a  new  mode  of  making  fire 
(allumettes).  To  the  bookseller's  about  Moreri,  which  am  de- 
termined to  buy.  To  Duke  d'Alberg's  ;  out.  To  Mr.  M.'s, 
who  tells  me  that  Madame  R.  is  in  exactly  the  same  state  of 
indecision.  Took  Vanderlyn  in  cabriolet  to  the  enameller's  to 
consult  about  wasting  more  money.  He  agrees  to  assist  me 
to  his  utmost  in  such  laudable  disposition.  Thence  home. 
Found  a  note  from  Fenwick  to  dine  at  five.  It  was  now 
within  a  quarter.  Being  within  two  minutes'  walk,  went 


OF    AARON    BURR.  209 

and  asked  to  delay  the  dinner  a  half  hour.  Agreed.  Im- 
proved the  time  to  do  some  errands. 

To  Fenwick's  to  dine.  Met,  but  not  for  d  L:\ier,  the 
secretary  of  the  high  court  of  prizes.  Ate  only  soup. 
Home  at  half  past  seven.  After  smoking  my  pipe,  to  Bon- 
nett's  to  get  the  watchcase.  He  is  sick,  but  not  too  sick 
to  talk.  Showed  me  a  beautiful  watch,  which  I  itched  tc 
buy  for  Gampillo,  but  fear  for  the  gold.  My  dear  little 
Gam.,  your  Juno  of  a  mother  has  ruined  me. 

To  De  Veer's.  Out.  Left  note.  He  was  to  have 
called  on  me  at  nine  this  morning,  but  came  at  half  past 
ten.  Have  taken  tea  and  am  better.  A  sort  of  dysentery 
has  pursued  me  ever  since  the  poisoned  feast.  Have  al- 
ready written  my  letter  to  the  Duke  de  Bassano,  at  Fen- 
wick's,  who  helped  me. 

9.  After  leaving  you  last  night,  I  wrote  Captain  Combes. 
To  bed  at  half  past  twelve.  Lay  sleepless  till  four  (effect 
of  the  tea),  and  rose  at  eight.  De  Veer  came  in  at  ten  and 
sat  an  hour.  Drank  my  coffee,  but  ate  Ifttle,  the  headache 
having  returned.  At  twelve  to  the  postoffice,  to  deposite 
my  letter  for  Combes.  Met  Bonnett,  who  walked  with  me. 
To  Hahn's ;  got  your  ring-watch.  To  Fonzi's  an  hour ; 
did  nothing  but  talk.  To  hunt  dictionaries  for  you.  Bought 
Moreri,  ten  volumes  ;  Richelet,  three  volumes ;  Colmel, 
three  volumes  ;  Martinier's,  six  volumes.  In  all,  twenty- 
two  great  folio  volumes,  for  eighty-four  francs ;  about  six- 
teen dollars. 

To  the  Bureau  des  Passeports  Etrangeres  au  Ministre 
des  relations  Exterieurs  (Duke  Bassano's).  The  chef  de  cet 
department  told  me  he  had  mentioned  my  affair  to  the  duke, 
who  said  he  would  see  me  "  au  premier  jour,"  and  would 
answer  me  personally.  Left  with  his  Suisse  the  note  writ- 
ten last  evening.  Don't  like  this.  Why  not  grant  my 
passport  and  see  me  at  his  leisure,  or  not  see  me,  as  he 
pleased  ?  To  Badolet's  to  get  the  case  of  your  watch. 
Tired,  for  this  vile  disease  weakens  me.  Took  cabriole, 


210  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

and  to  the  enameller's  to  give  him  the  watchcase.  Having 
rode  an  hour,  was  set  down  on  the  pont  Notre  Dame. 
Walked  up  St.  Martin's  to  Boulevard,  and  on  to  a  store 
where  I  had  seen  a  good  edition  of  Bayle,  but  did  not  buy 
To  the  hosier's,  and  home  at  half  past  six.  Made  fire  and 
coffee,  not  having  dined  nor  having  any  appetite.  Just  as  my 
coffee  was  made  came  in  Vanderlyn,  and  then  O'little  Mr.  B. 
Was  greatly  pleased  and  astonished  at  this  visit.  Sat  till 
past  nine,  and  was  driven  off  by  the  arrival  of  De  Veer,  who 
sat  till  eleven.  From  O'lit.  I  learn  that  every  American 
vessel  which  has  sailed  from  France  the  last  four  months 
has  been  taken,  and  that  everything  is  confiscated,  save  a 
small  allowance  of  clothes.  My  books,  therefore,  may  as 
well  be  burned  ;  for  to  sell  them,  unless  by  the  pound,  would 
be  impracticable.  The  watches,  too,  may  as  well  be  given 
away.  I  regret  now  the  additional  expense.  All  the  little 
things,  too,  which  I  have  bought,  all — all  must  be  left.  But 
the  most  serious  part  of  the  business  is  the  delay  of  my 
passport.  It  augurs  ill.  Sixteen  days  have  elapsed  since 
my  return  from  Amsterdam  !  Dull,  dull  prospect. 

Learn,  also,  that  the  messenger  for  the  frigate  John  Adams 
goes  off  to-morrow,  and  I  have  not  written  you  a  line ;  fear 
I  shall  not  now  be  able  to  get  a  letter  on  board,  for  this 
must  be  done  circuitously.  But  my  passport — my  passport. 
Fenwick  told  me  yesterday  that  she  had  a  presentiment  that, 
if  I  did  not  go  forthwith,  I  should  ever  go.  Kiss  Gamp., 
and  bon  soir.  You  will  dream  of  me  to-night. 

10.  Rose  at  seven,  and  ate  my  breakfast  with  great  appe- 
tite, for  the  first  time  these  ten  or  twelve  days.  At  ten  came 
in  De  Veer  to  take  breakfast  with  me,  but  I  had  breakfast- 
ed, and  was  going  another  way ;  agreed  to  meet  him  at  one 
au  caffe.  To  Denon's ;  he  had  come  home  at  two  in  the 
morning,  and  was  yet  asleep.  Wrote  him  note  and  left  it 
with  his  valet,  who  is  as  civil  as  his  master.  To  the  caffe, 
where  met  De  Veer,  and  passed  half  an  hour  in  reading  the 
gazettes.  To  D'Alberg's  ;  he  was  abed  ;  but  the  valet,  know- 


OF    AARON    BURR.  211 

ing  he  was  awake,  announced  me,  and  I  was  received.  Sat 
near  an  hour  at  his  bedside.  Talked  to  him  of  Crede's 
affair  and  of  my  own.  He  also  engages  to  push  Bassano 
for  me.  He  has  rendered  Crede  an  important  service. 
Home,  which  is  now  within  two  minutes'  walk  of  Fen- 
wick's.  Thence  to  Fonzi's  ;  took  with  me  pen,  ink,  and  pa- 
per, to  write  to  you.  Made  a  chi.,  and  wrote  what  I  think, 
for  once,  will  please  you,  except  the  dire  embarras  about 
your  books  and  pretty  things.  Wrote  also  H.  Gahn,  and 
was  going  to  Vanderlyn  to  get  him  to  take  the  letters  to 
his  friend  ;  at  that  moment  he  came  in,  and  we  took  cabriole 
and  went  near  that  friend,  and  Vanderlyn  gave  the  letters. 
To-morrow  I  shall  make  duplicate.  Your  letter  took  me 
four  hours,  and  I'll  swear  there  are  no  errors ;  and,  if  you 
can't  read  it,  it  must  be  owing  to  the  thickness  of  your  scull. 
Why  did  I  not  teach  Gamp,  to  read  such  things  ?  He  would 
not  have  boggled  so,  and  forgot  No.  20. 

Vanderlyn  and  I  took  dinner  at  the  little  chaumiere.  The 
dinner  and  cab.  hire  five  francs.  On  my  way  home  bought 
two  books  which  will  amuse  you,  for  five  sous  each.  Have 
read  one  through,  only  seventy  pages,  about  Malta.  Last 
evening  Madame  B.  hurt  her  hand  in  descending  my  vile 
little  staircase.  Wrote  her  a  pretty  note  of  inquiry  and 
apology  this  morning.  But  now,  madam,  open  your  ears 
and  eyes,  and  thump  your  thick  scull.  On  coming  in  this 
evening,  find  a  most  friendly  note  from  Denon.  He  had 
seen  the  Duke  Bassano,  who  says  he  will  positively  see  me 
very  soon,  and  that  he  will  forthwith  give  orders  to  the  chef 
du  cet  department  about  my  passport !  Heighho  for  the 
United  States. 

My  dinner,  which  was  temperate,  disagrees  with  me,  and 
I  have  been  taking  coffee,  which  has  done  me  no  good. 
Must  come  back  to  rice. 

11.  Slept  well  and  rose  at  seven.  At  nine  to  Femvick's, 
and  then  away  to  the  Boulevard  du  Temple  (see  the  map)  to 
get  some  plays,  of  which  I  had  left  a  list  with  a  bookseller,  who 


212  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

promised  to  get  them  all  for  me.  He  had  forgotten  the  com- 
mission and  lost  the  list;  fortunately,  I  had  a  copy.  These 
are  the  best  of  the  plays  published  during  the  revolution,  to 
show  you  the  scenic  temper  of  that  day.  Home  to  meet 
Vanderlyn,  who  was  to  call  at  three.  He  had  been,  and 
gone  an  hour  before  his  time.  De  Veer  came  in,  and  then 
Vanderlyn.  Went  with  De  Veer  to  Palais  Royal  to  a  book- 
selleress  of  his  acquaintance,  who  undertook  to  get  the  plays, 
and  also  nineteen  vols.  of  novels  of  De  Veer's  recommenda- 
tion. Home,  and  dined  on  rice  and  milk,  which  I  cooked 
myself.  To  Crede's  (who  had  called  and  left  card  to-day). 
Out.  To  near  Luxembourg  to  get  an  umbrella  which  some 
one,  unknown,  left  in  my  room  a  fortnight  ago,  and  which 
has,  therefore,  become  my  property  by  prescription.  Paid 
for  mending  it,  three  francs.  Round  by  Rue  Arbre  to  look  at 
a  "  fourneau  economique,"  newly  invented,  and  much  vaunt- 
ed. It  is  inferior  to  what  has  been  more  than  twenty  years 
in  use  with  us.  Home  at  half  past  seven.  Fairep.  came  in 
to  invite  me  to  see  B.  at  a  neighbouring  coffee-house.  Went 
and  passed  an  hour.  Home  at  ten.  De  Veer  came  in  and 
sat  half  an  hour,  and  now  must  write  something  for  B. 

Not  a  word  of  or  from  Bassano  to-day.  Forgot  to  tell 
you  that  I  made  a  very  long  course  this  P.  M.  to  see  Mr. 
Apput,  and  to  examine  his  mode  of  preserving  all  esculent 
substances,  even  milk,  eggs,  and  fruits,  in  their  natural  state, 
without  alteration,  for  years,  and  without  the  addition  of  salt 
or  any  other  substance.  Found  that  his  manufactory  is  four 
leagues  from  town.  Will  go  there  and  see  it,  that  I  may 
teach  you. 

12.  Rose  at  eight  with  a  bad  cold,  acquired  I  know  not 
how.  To  Fonzi's  at  ten  and  till  twelve,  then  took  cabriole 
and  went  to  the  bureau  des  passeports.  The  chef  told  me 
he  had  no  orders  from  the  duke  to  grant  me  passport ;  but, 
if  I  would  wait,  he  would  try  to  see  him  and  mention  it 
(being  in  the  same  hotel).  He  went,  but  could  not  see  the 
duke.  I  told  the  chef  of  Denon's  note  and  the  duke's  prom- 


OF    AARON    BURR.  213 

ise.  What  does  he  mean  by  promising  so  often  and  doing 
nothing  ?  On  to  Vanderlyn,  to  give  a  letter  which  I  had 
written  for  his  friend  (was  up  till  two  last  night  writing  that 
letter).  Thence  back  to  Fonzi's,  and  there  till  three,  doing 
nothing  but  reading  Chateaubriand's  Int.  to  Jerusalem,  which 
believe  I  shall  buy  for  you.  Home.  Crede  came  in  by  ap- 
pointment. Then  back  to  Fonzi's,  but  he  had  gone  out  to 
dine.  Met  Vanderlyn,  and  we  went  together  and  dined  at 
a  restaurateur's,  three  francs  and  ten  sous  each.  Home  at 
seven.  Bonnett  came  in  at  eight,  and  sat  till  eleven.  Van- 
derlyn from  eight  to  nine.  His  friend  came  back  ;  but,  hear- 
ing I  had  company,  did  not  come  in. 

This  morning  run  over  from  Fonzi's  to  see  Schimmelpen- 
nink,  being  directly  opposite.  He  was  not  up,  though  half 
past  ten,  and  the  hour  he  had  himself  named. 

We,  you  and  I,  have  had  a  great  desire  to  know  how  the 
political  changes  of  this  country  for  the  last  twenty  years 
have  affected  their  theatres  and  dramatic  works.  After  much 
trouble  I  made  out,  principally  by  the  aid  of  Barrere,  a  list 
of  the  best  tragedies  and  comedies  during  that  period, 
amounting  to  thirty-five.  Of  these  I  had  obtained  six  at  a  very 
cheap  rate,  and  De  Veer  added  to  my  list  nineteen  volumes 

of  novels,  and  told  me  of ;  indeed,  took  me  to  a  book- 

selleress  au  Palais  Royal,  who,  he  said,  would  furnish  the 
whole  at  the  cheapest  possible  rate.  Gave  her  the  list,  and  this 
afternoon  called  to  see  if  she  had  executed  the  commission. 
She  had,  in  fact,  and  presented  me  a  bill  amounting  to  eleven 
francs  more  than  the  sum  for  which  I  had  been  offered  the 
whole  in  another  shop ;  but  there  was  no  remedy,  nor  any 
other  consolation  than  that  of  denouncing  heartily  De  Veer 
and  his  amie. 

Bonnett,  among  other  stories,  told  me  one  of  Muilman 
(the  rich  banker  who  shot  himself  in  London  a  few  years 
ago)  and  his  wife ;  and  another  of  the  Foundling  Hospital  in 
Geneva,  which  I  will  repeat  to  you  and  Gamp. 

13.    Rather  a  triste  day,  for  I  have   advanced    nothing, 


214  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

and  begin  again  to  be  in  despair  about  my  passport ;  but  let 
us  go  on  chronologically.  Couche  at  twelve,  for  Bonnett 
kept  me  engaged  till  past  eleven,  and  then  writing  to  you, 
for  you  have  no  mercy  on  me — you  and  Gamp.  Come, 
Gamp.,  tell  us  where  you  have  been.  What  have  you  been 
doing  all  this  long,  hot  da}  ?  No  matter  how  fatigued  or 
how  sick,  no  peace  till  1  tell  something.  I  shall  quit  you  in 
a  rage  one  of  these  days,  and  not  say  another  word  till  in 
proper  person. 

Rose  at  four.  Got  breakfast,  and  was  out  at  seven.  To 
De  Veer's,  who  was  just  getting  up.  He  scolded  me  most 
heartily  for  suffering  myself  to  be  cheated  by  his  Palais 
Royal  woman  in  the  books.  To  Fenwick's  ;  she  is  always 
up  at  six.  Engaged  to  dine  with  her.  To  Fonzi's,  where 
till  eleven,  doing  little.  Then  to  Bassano's  to  see  the  chef. 
He  had  not  seen  the  duke,  and  had  no  orders  about  my  pass- 
port. Showed  him  Denon's  note,  and  told  him  what  the 
duke  had  said  to  me  personally.  All  he  could  do  was  to 
express  his  regret  and  surprise.  There  must  be  some  cursed 
thing  in  the  way,  and  which  I  shall  never  discover.  Back 
to  Fonzi's,  quite  overcome  with  the  heat  and  fatigue ;  for 
this  dysentery,  which  still  pursues  me,  has  weakened  me. 
Sat  and  slept  an  hour.  There  being  a  draught  of  air  on 
me,  increased  my  cold. 

Home  at  half  past  four,  and  at  five  to  Fenwick's,  where 
ate  soup  and  nothing  else,  having  no  appetite  ;  escorted  her 
au  Francois,  where  we  parted.  Went  two  or  three  errands, 
and  home  at  half  past  seven.  Shall  go  early  to  bed  if  no 
one  comes.  For  the  last  fortnight  I  have  not  eaten  a  mouth- 
ful of  fruit,  though  the  streets  and  markets  are  full,  and  very 
cheap ;  nor  of  fillebouka,  nor  more  than  three  ounces  of 
meat,  nor  drank  a  glass  of  wine.  All  these  things  disagree 
with  me.  Coffee  blanc,  tea,  and  rice  are  the  only  articles 
that  go  well.  Just  as  I  was  getting  into  bed,  half  past  ten, 
comes  in  Vanderlyn.  He  begins  again  to  talk  of  going  with 
me. 


OF    AARON     BUUR.  215 

14.  No  progress.     Nothing  done.     Nothing  even  attempt- 
ed.    Fenwick   advises  me  to  write  still  stronger  letters  to 
the  duke  ;  but,  if  those  I  have  written  have  been  read,  others 
are  unnecessary.     Slept  from  eleven  to  eight.     Waked  so 
stuffed  with  my  cold  that  I  could  scarcely  breathe.     When 

la came   in   to  bring  me  rnilk,  discovered  that  I  could 

not  utter  an  audible  sound  ;  at  least,  an  articulate  one. 

Sor.  at  ten,  while  Gaud,  worked  for  me  till  three,  doing 
very  little.  I  amused  myself  reading  Chateaubriand  Itene- 
raire  to  Jerusalem,  and  in  pondering  on  my  affairs.  Re- 
solve to  get  another  passport  from  Russell,  if  he  will  give 
one,  and  to  try  my  luck  once  more  through  the  beaten  chan- 
nel. But,  if  this  should  succeed,  there  is  little  room  to  hope 
that  I  shall  be  ready  in  time  for  Captain  Combes. 

Home  at  three.  Have  made  myself  coffee  blanc  for  din- 
ner, and  have  taken  it,  and  now,  at  half  past  four,  am  wri- 
ting this.  On  coming  in,  find  a  note  from  Fenwick,  enclo- 
sing ticket  for  the  opera,  of  which  I  shall  profit  to  take  leave. 
Shall  not,  probably,  return  before  twelve,  when  it  would  be 
too  late  to  write  you,  and  then  such  a  hurlybeloo  ! 

Home  from  the  opera  at  twelve.  Was  in  the  box  two 
hours  alone ;  but  in  the  adjoining  was  again  Madame  de 
Lille,  who  was  very  civil  in  answering  all  my  inquiries. 
She  is  also  pleasant  in  conversation.  At  a  quarter  before 
nine  came  in  Fenwick,  with  three  gentlemen  and  one  of  his 
majesty's  pages.  The  pieces  performed  were  Iphigenen 
Aulide,  and  Le  Dansomanie,  a  pantomime.  The  grand  op- 
era, particularly  the  chanting  in  dialogue,  fatigues  me  mor- 
tally. I  have  no  taste  for  French  music.  To  relieve  it,  we 
had  three  fine  scenes  and  some  dancing.  The  Dansomanie 
amused  me  much.  I  bought  both  pieces.  You  observe 
that  I  buy  all  the  pieces  which  I  see  performed.  Some- 
times make  scratches  or  notes  in  them  to  assist  our  memo- 
ries when  we  shall  talk  them  over. 

15.  Rose  before  six,  and  at  eight  was  at  Crede's,  to  en- 
gage him  to  go  to  Russell's  about  my  passport,  which  he 

VOL.  II  H 


216  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

cheerfully  undertook.  Then  to  Fonzi's,  but  so  many  people 
came  in  that  I  did  nothing  but  read  Chateaubriand.  Crede 
came  in  to  report.  He  had  called  on  Russell,  but  could  not 
see  him,  being  much  occupied  in  despatching  the  messenger, 
whose  horses  were  at  the  door.  This  is  the  messenger 
who  has  got  your  letter,  about  which  I  had  so  much  solici 
aide. 

Left  Fonzi's  at  three.  To  the  bookseller  of  whom  1 
bought  lately  all  those  huge  folio  dictionaries.  I  had  paid, 
but  had  taken  no  receipt,  and  both  Fonzi  and  Vanderlyn 
were  sure  I  should  never  see  books  or  money.  He  had  sent 
the  books  this  morning  to  Vanderlyn's,  where  I  ordered 
them.  Home,  to  see  if  anything  good  or  bad  for  me. 
Nothing.  To  Fonzi's  again  (but  on  the  way  took  a  bouillon, 
twelve  sous).  All  busy.  Nothing  to  be  done  to-day.  To 
Dubois's,  away  Rue  du  Ponceau,  who  has  the  "  roulage" — 
transportation  of  heavy  baggage  to  Amsterdam.  My  books 
alone  will  cost  at  least  four  louis.  It  is- eighteen  francs  the 
hundred  weight.  Home.  Bought  Gampy  a  pretty  seal,  on 
which  I  will  have  his  initials  engraved.  Bought  you  also 
six  pretty  stones  for  seals  or  rings.  All  ten  francs.  Home 
and  made  coffee  blanc  for  dinner.  At  half  past  six  au  Fran- 
cois. Hamlet  imite  de  1'Anglois,  and  Le  Coutun.  Both 
pieces  were  extremely  well  supported.  Talma  is  really 
sometimes  great,  and  M'lle.  Duchenois  has  much  merit. 
But  we  will  read  the  pieces  together.  I  laughed  a  great 
deal  at  the  comedy,  and  cried  a  little  at  the  tragedy.  De 
Lille  did  not  come.  But  I  was  near  some  of  the  same 
corps,  who  are  all  social.  A  place  in  the  orchestra  costs  six 
francs  twelve  sous.  Home  at  half  past  eleven.  It  is  now 
half  past  twelve,  and  I  must  be  up  at  six  to-morrow,  that  I 
may  be  at  Russell's  at  eight,  for  I  have  resolved  to  go  in 
person. 

16.  At  eight  to  Fonzi's.  Then  to  Russell's.  The  sec- 
retary who  does  the  business  had  not  come  in.  To  Fonzi's. 
All  too  busy  to  be  spoken  to.  Over  the  river  to  Crede's,  to 


OF    AARON    BURR.  217 

get  him  to  go  again  for  me  to  Russell's,  a  mode  which  I  pre- 
ferred, there  being  at  Russell's  several  persons  in  waiting 
when  I  was  there.  Went  on  an  errand,  and  then  to  Fonzi's 
again.  There  till  near  three.  The  work  has  advanced  a 
good  deal.  Finished  Chateaubriand's  Itineraire.  Home 
to  meet  Crede,  who  was  to  call  between  three  and  four.  On 
the  way,  took  a  bouillon,  twelve  sous.  Crede  came  in.  He 
had  been  to  Russell's  office,  and  saw  Le  Ray,  his  secretary, 
who  promised  to  do  the  thing  in  an  hour.  Crede,  not  being 
able  to  go  at  that  time,  sent  his  son,  to  whom  Russell  said, 
in  the  most  peremptory  manner,  that  he  would  not,  and  he 
forbid  his  secretary  to  do  anything  in  the  business.  Thus 
this  just  hope  is  gone.  On  coming  in  to-day,  received  a 
message  from  the  prefecture  de  police,  saying  that  I  was  not 
en  regie,  requiring  me  to  send  my  passport  forthwith,  and 
to  present  myself  at  the  prefecture  to-morrow,  with  some 
menacing  words.  Sent  my  passport  by  the  porter.  So  far 
written  at  four  P.  M. ;  am  now  going  to  Fenwick's  by  ap- 
pointment She  asked  me  to  dine,  which  I  refused. 

Went  to  Fenwick's  at  five  and  stayed  to  dinner,  i.  e.,  to  see 
Fenwick  dine,  for  I  ate  nothing.  Home  at  seven.  Vander- 
lyn  came  in,  and  we  took  a  walk  on  the  Boulevard.  The 
dust  was  suffocating.  I  will  describe  to  you  the  amusement 
of  the  Boulevard  promenade  another  time — that  is,  viv.  voc. 
Called  on  Fonzi,  and  he  proposed  a  walk  an  Palais  Royal. 
We  strolled  an  hour  and  took  ice-creams.  Fonzi  explained 
to  me  a  great  many  things,  and  a  curious  new  vocabulary. 
The  appropriation  of  one  of  the  walks  or  alleys  in  the  Pa 
lais  Royal  gardens,  &c.  Home  at  half  past  ten.  Found  a 
very  formal  note  from  De  Veer,  enclosing  a  letter  which 
had  come  to  his  care  from  Holland. 

Omitted  to  tell  you  that  at  ten  this  morning  called  on 
Denon.  He  was  abed,  but  received  me.  Told  him  my 
story ;  the  due's  silence ;  delay  of  passport.  He  took  up 
the  matter  with  the  most  friendly  zeal.  Proposed  that  I 
should  write  him  a  letter,  stating  these  matters.  Wrote  ac 


218  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

cordingly,  at  his  bedside  and  with  his  aid,  and  left  it.  He 
will  show  it  to  the  due  to-night,  and  make  me  a  report  to- 
morrow. So  you  see  that  all  hope  is  not  yet  gone. 

17.  To  BonneU's  at  nine.  To  Denon's  at  ten.  He  had 
seen  the  duke,  who  replied  that  he  found  great  embarrass- 
ment in  originating  a  passport  in  his  office  for  a  foreigner 
to  return  to  his  country.  It  will  be  wholly  without  "  prece- 
dent"— est  ce  que,  Mr.  B.  ?  trouveroit  de  1'inconvenient  que 
je  commanderois  moi  un  passeport  pour  lui  de  Mr.  Russell." 
I  replied  at  once  that  I  would  hazard  all  the  inconveniences, 
and  would  be  greatly  obliged  to  his  excellency  if  he  would 
forthwith  make  the  application.  Monsieur  Denon,  in  my 
presence  and  under  my  dictation,  wrote  the  duke  my  assent 
to  the  measure.  In  fact,  this  mode  is  extremely  disagreea- 
ble to  me,  for  I  perceive  the  use  that  will  be  made  of  it  in 
the  United  States.  To  Fonzi's,  where  till  three  ;  poor  good 
soul,  he  is  in  the  utmost  distress. 

Thence  to  the  prefecture  de  police,  where,  after  an  hour's 
delay  and  great  difficulty,  got  my  old  passport  renewed,  and 
gave  a  note  of  my  demand  to  passport  to  return  to  the  Uni- 
ted States.  To  Vanderlyn's,  where  he  was  with  his  model. 
He  quitted  work,  and  we  took  dinner  at  a  restaurateur's. 
Then  took  him  with  me  to  the  enameller's,  to  see  about 
your  watch.  The  copy  of  Fenwick's  picture  is  nearly  done. 
Am  to  have  it  Monday  morning.  Then  by  Notre  Dame, 
St.  Denis,  and  the  Boulevard  to  Fonzi's.  At  least  a  league. 
He  was  out.  Home,  very  tired. 

On  coming  in,  a  letter  from  Fenwick,  containing  a  most  un- 
expected and  extraordinary  request,  but  no  way  disagreeable. 
Shall  assent.  Also  another  letter,  from  Captain  Combes. 
A  deadly  blow.  He  will  sail  from  the  Texel  on  the  23d. 
No  hope  of  getting  my  passport  before  that  day,  and  to  Am- 
sterdam is  five  days'  journey,  going  day  and  night.  My  dear 
Theodosia,  I  am  afflicted,  sadly  afflicted,  to  lose  this  ship. 
The  only  American  ship  now  in  Europe  which  will  go  as 
a  cartel,  and  thus  be  secure  from  capture.  The  finest  and 


OF    AARON    BURR.  219 

largest  American  ship  in  Europe.  The  captain  friendly  to 
me.  Has  fitted  me  up  a  room  according  to  my  instructions. 
To  lose  all  this  is  sad  indeed. 

18.  A  day  of  great  exertion,  and,  it  is  believed,  of  some 
effect.  Rose  at  six ;  but  let  me  first  tell  you  that,  after  we 
parted  last  night,  I  wrote  a  long  letter  to  Denon  for  him  to 
show  to  Bassano  (because,  you  see,  I  can  write  much  more 
freely  to  him  than  to  the  duke,  and  then  am  much  more  sure 
that  the  duke  will  receive  and  read  it),  telling  all  the  benefits 
(but  see  the  copy).  Wrote  also  a  reply  to  the  request  of 
Fenwick,  for  the  affair  is  of  such  moment  that  it  must  be  all 
in  writing.  At  nine  to  Fenwick's  to  leave  my  note ;  then 
took  cabriole  for  sake  of  despatch,  and  to  Due  d'Alberg's. 
He  had  walked  out.  Home  to  get  Captain  Combes's  letter. 
To  Denon's,  to  whom  told  my  story  and  received  my  letter, 
being  in  the  most  barbarous  Anglo-French.  He  approved ; 
said  the  duke  should  have  it  in  an  hour ;  and  gave  me  hopes 
that  it  would  produce  some  effect.  To  Fonzi's,  where  did 
a  little,  and  then  to  D'Alberg's  again ;  found  him,  and  told' 
him  my  tale.  He  thought  my  success  altogether  improb- 
able. To  the  prefecture  de  la  police.  Saw  Mr.  Leger,  told 
him  my  distress  for  an  immediate  passport.  He  sent  me 

down  to ,  who  is,  I  believe,  secretary  of  this  department ; 

he  said  I  must  forthwith  apply  by  petition  to  the  Due  Rovigo, 
but  could  form  no  conjecture  about  the  time  an  answer  might 
be  expected.  To  Fenwick's,  who  engaged  me  to  dine,  and 
to  the  play  this  evening.  To  Fonzi's,  where  dismissed  my 
cabriole,  having  rode  at  least  twelve  miles  ;  paid  five  francs. 
At  Fonzi's  till  three,  Gabriel  working  and  I  writing  my  letter 
to  Rovigo.  It  is  necessary,  on  such  occasions,  to  state  the 
details  of  your  motives»and  your  business.  I  added — non- 
sense, see  the  letter  of  two  pages.  Sent  commissionaire. 
Bought  you  Treveaux,  six,  and  Bayle,  four  volumes  in  folio, 
in  good  condition,  for  fifty  francs.  Home  at  four.  A  letter 
was  handed  to  me.  A  letter  from  Denon,  enclosing  one  from 
Duke  Bassano,  saying  that  he  would  set  about  the  thing  in- 


220  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

stantly,  and  hoped  I  might  have  the  passport  to-morrow  even- 
ing. This  was  to  me  matter  of  very  great  surprise,  need  I 
add,  of  pleasure.  Went  to  Fenwick's  to  tell  my  unexpected 
progress  and  hopes,  and  then  home,  and  have  written  you 
all  this,  and  now  I  go  to  dine.  Vanderlyn  has  just  come  in, 
which  is  lucky,  as  I  want  him  to  do  me  fifty  errands, 
though  I  shall  not  feel  great  confidence  till  I  have  the  thing 
in  my  hand. 

More  wonders  ;  instead  of  going  to  the  play  with  Fenwick, 
came  home  at  half  past  six.  Another  note  from  Denon,  en- 
closing another  from  the  Duke  Bassano.  He  has  got  the 
passport  from  Russell ;  has  given  his  sanction,  and  has 
already  passed  it  through  the  bureau  of  Rovigo.  That  bu- 
reau of  delay  and  dismay.  Now,  indeed,  I  may  hope.  Now 
I  feel  as  if  I  was  embracing  you  and  Gamp.  Shall  run 
over  to  Fenwick's,  and  do  a  dozen  errands  to-night.  But  no 
more  to  you  till  I  am  on  shipboard,  unless  a  return. 

19.  Have  been  running  since  five  this  morning.  Have 
got  my  passport.  Shall  go  to-morrow.  Have  your  watch. 
Have  bought  you  nothing,  nor  for  my  poor,  dear  little  Gamp. 
Shall  bring  you  nothing  but  myself.  Have  nobody  to  do 
anything  for  me,  and  shall  regret  a  hundred  negligences  the 
moment  I  am  out  of  Paris.  Shall  set  off  at  four  P.  M.  to- 
morrow in  a  sort  of  cabriole,  with  the  courier  at  my  side, 
and  thus,  without  resting,  to  Amsterdam. 

This  will  now  go  into  my  trunk,  which  am  going  to  begin 
to  pack,  that  it  may  be  done.  Adieu  for  a  week. 

Vaughns,  July  20,  1811.  Have  made  eleven  leagues  at 
half  past  nine.  Good  coffee  for  dinner  and  supper. 

21.  Ems.  About  six  in  the  morning,  having  slept  well. 
Here  the  famous  chateau,  now  a  state  prison.  Arrived  at 
St.  Quintin  at  eleven  o'clock.  They  are  demolishing  the 
fortifications,  which  must  have  cost  many  millions  ;  but 
much  less  than  will  cost  Anvers,  where  about  fifteen  thou- 
sand men  are  at  work  daily. 

At  Valenciennes  at  eight.     Took  here  a  bouillon  gras. 


OF    AARON    BURR.  221 

At  about  two  leagues  before  arriving  at  this  place  is  the 
comical  triangular  monument  in  honour  of  Marshal  Villars's 
victory. 

Malines,  July  22,  1811.  Arrived  at  one.  The  turret  of 
the  Cathedral,  a  square,  lofty  Gothic  tower,  has  a  picturesque 
effect.  Also  the  two  steeples  of  the  gate  on  the  Brussels 
side. 

Anvers,  July  22.  Arrived  at  four  P.  M.  My  courier,  Pa- 
quin,  got  me  a  room  for  ihe  night.  The  courier  which  goes 
hence  for  Amsterdam,  being  a  smaller  carriage,  cannot  take 
my  baggage.  All  the  diligences  were  full,  but  got  a  place 
outside  in  one  of  them,  which  has  also  agreed  to  take  the 
whole  of  my  baggage. 

Anvers,  July  28,  1811.  Took  my  usual  round  to  Lom- 
bards and  the  stage-offices  to  inquire  for  the  sack,  and 
with  the  usual  success.  At  ten  to  Bellemare's.  He  was 
just  coming  out  to  call  on  me,  and,  as  evidence,  drew  from 
his  pocket  and  gave  me  a  bundle  of  segars.  Passed  an 
hour  with  him  and  madame,  and  he  then  walked  with  me  to 
my  lodgings  and  sat  an  hour.  He  proposed  to  show  me 
the  chantier,  where  strangers  are  seldom  admitted.  It  is 
very  extensive,  and,  when  completed,  will  be  a  most  magnifi- 
cent establishment.  Among  the  thousands  who  work  here 
are  about  one  thousand  of  the  state  prisoners  in  chains — 
those  who  were  formerly  condemned  "  aux  galeres."  We 
went  thence  into  the  castle  which  is  their  place  of  confine- 
ment. The  chef  of  this  establishment  took  me  through  the 
various  apartments  of  this  immense  prison.  A  great  num- 
ber, perhaps  fifty  or  sixty,  are  condemned  "  aux  doubles 
chaines."  These  are  chained  down  to  the  spot  where  they 
lie,  and  can  only  move  about  four  or  five  feet.  All  descrip- 
.  tions  are  mingled  together  ;  lawyers,  notaries,  officers,  gen- 
tlemen, servants,  labourers ;  most  of  them  of  diabolic  coun- 
tenances. The  powers  of  the  chef  or  keeper  are  very 
great ;  he  can  mitigate  the  punishment  at  discretion.  Some 
who,  by  their  good  conduct  or  from  accidental  circumstan- 


222  PRIVATE   JOURNAL 

ces,  are  entitled  to  favour,  wear,  instead  of  the  enormous 
chain  round  the  ankle,  only  a  slender  ring,  whose  weight 
cannot  be  perceived.  The  prisoners  are  permitted  to  receive 
money  from  their  friends,  and  to  spend  it  as  they  please ; 
so  that,  while  one  is  half  starving  on  the  coarse  bread  of  the 
institution,  his  neighbour  is,  perhaps,  feasting  on  roast  mut- 
ton. Out  of  twelve  hundred  of  these  criminals,  two  hun- 
dred are  sick  and  in  the  hospital.  At  the  intervals  of  labour 
the  prisoners  are  permitted  to  work  for  themselves,  and  to 
sell  what  they  can  make ;  of  those  we  met  on  their  way  to 
the  chantier  to  work,  several  offered  to  sell  us  small  ar- 
ticles. Those  aux  doubles  chaines  are  generally,  if  not  all, 
condemned  to  this  additional  punishment  for  escapes  or 
attempts  to  escape.  They  appeared  to  me  to  be  better 
looking,  better  countenances  than  the  mass.  They  are  in 
one  large  room  ;  can  converse  without  restraint,  and  read, 
write,  or  work,  as  they  please. 

Rotterdam,  August  3,  1811.  Left  Anvers  at  five  this 
morning,  in  diligence,  with  M.  Lasagriia,  Italian  opera-dancer, 
and  four  males  of  the  same  country  and  profession.  Came 
through  that  infernal  desert  and  bog  Moerdycke.  Arrived 
at  Rotterdam  at  eight.  Your  whip  (which  was  left  at  Moer- 
dycke with  other  loose  articles)  was  nearly  spoiled  by  the 
curiosity  of  the  family.  Have  had  tea  in  my  room,  and 

shall  not   go   out,  even  to  see  la  ,  who  is    vis-a-vis. 

How  sage. 

Amsterdam,  August  5,  1811.  Left  Rotterdam,  la  plus 
belle  de  tous  les  belles  villes  d'Holland,  at  five.  Arrived 
at  Delft  at  eight.  Immediately  called  on  Van  Stipriaan ; 
but  he  had  already  been  abroad  three  hours,  and  not  ex- 
pected till  eleven ;  so  that  I  lost  a  day  by  not  coming  on  to 
Delft  the  night  of  our  arrival  at  Rotterdam,  as  I  ought  to 
have  done.  My  dancing  companions  went  on  to  the  Hague, 
where  they  are  to  exhibit.  Madame  L.  promised  to  write 
to  me  from  thence. 

Saw  Van  Stipriaan  and  his  beautiful  children  at  eleven 


OF    AARON    BURR.  223 

The  little  boy  of  three  years  old,  to  whom  I  gave  some  bon 
bons  two  months  ago,  recollected  me  and  jumped  into  my 
arms.  Van  S.  insists  that  nothing  ails  me  nor  has  ailed  me  ; 
but  he  lies,  and  I  will  be  sick.  He  gave  me,  however,  a 
great  deal  of  good  advice  in  case  anything  should  ever  ail 
me.  He  is  a  learned,  sensible,  amiable  man,  of  great  good- 
ness, frankness,  and  simplicity.  Such  a  man  in  such  a  pro- 
fession is  a  blessing  to  any  country  he  may  inhabit. 

The  young  Van  Stipriaan  would  escort  me  to  the  tracht- 
schuyt.  Found  it  would  not  go  till  one.  Employed  the  in- 
terval, first  in  taking  coffee,  and  then  in  visiting  one  of  the 
churches,  where  is  the  tomb  of  Hugo  Grotius,  native  of 
Delft;  a  plain  and  elegant  monument.  That  of  William 
the  First  is  magnificent,  and  in  fine  taste.  The  church  is 
without  other  ornament,  but  of  very  handsome  structure, 
and  large. 

At  one  found  myself  in  the  trachtschuyt,  with  a  French 
gentleman  and  his  pretty  wife,  both  very  decent,  and  a  tall, 
comely  young  woman,  widow  of  a  Flemish  officer.  At- 
tached myself  to  the  latter,  who  spoke  French  very  fluently. 
Arrived  at  Harlaem  at  eight. 

I  left  Harlaem  at  six  this  morning.  La  veuve  stayed  to 
see  some  friends,  having  formerly  resided  some  time  in  that 
city.  In  the  trachtschuyt  met  again  the  French  couple. 
They  complained  bitterly  of  their  fare  and  its  dearness — 
very  usual  complaints  of  the  French  in  Holland.  They 
were  more  shy  and  cold  than  yesterday.  Arrived  at  twelve. 
Went  immediately  to  Krutz's.  Found  there  a  bundle  of 
clothes  which  had  been  left  in  Paris,  and  some  small  articles. 
Also,  letters  from  Vanderlyn,  from  Bonnett,  and  a  charming 
little  note,  with  present  of  an  elegant  perpetual  pen,  from 
Madame  Z. 

Came  on  to  Van  Ham's,  who  had  received  my  letter,  and 
had  provided  me  a  room.  The  family  all  delighted  to  see 
me,  and  we  had  a  deal  of  kissing.  Got  shaved  and  dressed, 
and  went  to  hunt  Capt.  Combes,  and  to  see  about  the  ship. 


224  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

He  had  gone  on  board  to  lake  the  ship  to  the  Texel.  Wrote 
note  to  De  Rham  to  advise  him  of  my  arrival.  Then  to 
deliver  a  letter  from  Bellemare  to  Fougiere,  com.  de  police. 
He  received  me  with  the  utmost  cordiality.  He  was  former- 
ly a  planter  in  St.  Domingo,  and  had  been  some  time  in  the 
United  States,  where  he  had  heard  something  of  one  A. 
Burr.  Asked  me  to  dine,  which  I  declined. 

60  A  letter  this  morning  from  Lasagnia,  inviting  me  to 
come  and  see  her  exhibit  on  Thursday. 

At  eleven  came  in  Fougiere  to  see  what  he  could  do  for 
me,  and  to  ask  me  to  dine.  Declined  the  dinner,  but  took 
him  to  introduce  me  to  le  directeur  general,  for  whom  I  had 
also  a  letter  from  Bellemare. 

16.  Gerritzi  came  in  at  eight  this  morning,  with  a  letter 
from  Captain  Combes,  requesting  my  influence  to  get  him  a 
passport  to  go  to  United  States  with  us.  Being  exceedingly 
solicitous  to  oblige  the  captain  in  this  particular,  went  im- 
mediately to  find  out  in  what  arrondissement  she  was,  and 
who  was  the  commissionaire.  It  is  the  twelfth,  and  Mr.  Cof- 
fin the  commissionaire.  Then  to  my  friend  Fougiere's  to 
get  a  letter  to  Coffin,  which  Fougiere  gave  cheerfully  and  in 
handsome  terms.  Back  to  Coffin's,  but  he  was  out.  To  the 
secretary  general  de  la  police,  M.  Cagniard,  who  dined  with 
us  yesterday.  He  undertook  to  make  the  application  to  the 
director  general  for  me ;  but,  from  the  tenour  of  orders  lately 
received,  doubted  of  my  success.  Called  on  the  captain,  and 
told  him  and  Gerritzi  of  my  doings.  Drank  coffee  with 
him.  Home,  and  then  to  Fougiere's  to  dine.  After  dinner 
we  walked  to  see ,  who  has  the  sick  wife.  Then  stroll- 
ed along  the  parapet,  now  partly  demolished,  to  a  botanic 
garden  of  a  friend  of  Fougiere.  Here  parted  at  seven. 

Fearing  that  Cagniard's  representations  to  the  director 
general  might  not  be  sufficiently  cogent,  wrote  him  (the  di- 
rector general)  a  letter  this  evening.  He  reads  and  speaks 
English.  At  twelve,  going  to  couche. 

16.  Have  walked  about  five  leagues  to-day  in  endeavours 


OP    AARON    BURR.  225 

to  get  my  baggage  through  the  custom-house,  which  I  should 
never  have  accomplished  without  the  zealous  aid  of  a  young 
man  in  that  department  named  Marie.  Mr.  Cagniard  wrote 
him  a  line  in  my  behalf.  If  the  affair  had  been  his  own, 
Mr.  M.  could  not  have  manifested  more  zeal  and  activity. 
The  expenses  were  only  a  few  sous.  At  five  we  got  all  on 
board  a  boat  bound  to  the  Texel,  and  then  I  took  my  young 
friend  to  dine  with  me  at  Cotti's.  We  had  an  excellent  din- 
ner and  two  bottles  wine  ;  bill,  one  louis.  My  sack  of  Indian 
meal  caused  a  deal  of  embarrassment,  to  export  flour  being 
prohibited. 

1 7.  At  nine  to  Pluym's,  to  get  my  account.  He  was  still 
too  busy  to  make  it ;  but  very  civilly  handed  me  my  hun- 
dred Napoleons,  not  having  disposed  of  one  of  them.  Note, 
I  must  owe  him  several  hundred  francs.  To  Fougiere's,  to 
get  him  to  write  to  his  friend,  the  commissionaire  at  Helder, 
to  take  care  of  my  things.  (But,  before  going  out  this  morn- 
ing, Captain  Combes  came  in.  He  is  nearly  crazy  by  the 
vexations  and  delays.  He  has  run  in  debt,  relying  on  the 
passage-money  of  fifty  passengers,  of  whom  only  twelve  or 
thirteen  have  paid  anything.  Some  of  those  have  sued  him 
to  get  back  their  money.  Agreed  to  see  him  at  four  this 
afternoon.)  From  Fougiere's  came  round  by  the  captain's ; 
but  he  was  out.  Home.  At  four,  back  to  the  captain's, 
where  met  a  Mr.  Henderson,  said  to  be  of  Baltimore,  but  ap- 
parently Irish.  He  has  permission  to  go  in  the  Vigilant, 
and  is  the  only  one  except  Ahrens.  After  canvassing  the 
subject,  the  captain  resolved  to  go  off  to-morrow  morning; 
a  resolution  which  I  greatly  approved.  We  went  together 
and  took  passage  in  the  packet-boat  bound  to  Helder  to- 
morrow. The  captain  then  went  to  make  his  preparations, 
and  I  home  to  make  mine. 

At  seven  this  evening,  in  the  midst  of  my  bustle,  came  in 
the  captain  to  say  that  he  could  not  go  till  Tuesday. 

Poor  Gerritzi  fainted  on  being  told  that  the  captain  would 


226  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

go  to-morrow  morning,  and  that  she  could  not  go.     She  lay 
some  hours  in  convulsions,  and  I  think  will  die. 

30.  Still  headache.     For  forty-eight  hours  have  swallowed 
nothing;  but  just  now,  eleven  A.  M.,  three  lemons.     Have 
called  on  the  captain.     Nothing  about  sailing ;  but  a  letter 
from  the  mate  says  that  the  douaniers  on  board  refused  to 
let  my  baggage  be  taken  in,  and  that  the  skipper  said  he 
would  leave  it  at  Helder.     Perhaps  there  to  be  rummaged 
and  pillaged  !     Called  twice  on  young  Marie.     He  left  word 
that  /  might  call  at  nine  to-morrow  morning.     To  Cagni- 
ard's.     He  promised  to  send  Marie  to  me,  but  could  give 
me  no  advice  about  rny  baggage.     Wrote  note  to-day  to  De 
Villiers,  asking  an  audience. 

At  six  this  P.  M.  my  headache  went  off,  and  I  took  a  break- 
fast of  tea,  and  for  supper  some  rice  boiled. 

A  letter  to-day  from  Vanderlyn,  enclosing  a  very  civil  note 
from  Turreau,  the  late  minister,  asking  to  see  me,  and  that 
he  had  much  to  tell  me.  Have  a  great  mind  to  go  right  off 
to  Paris  in  courier,  and  be  back  m  eight  days. 

31.  Rose  at  five  to  do  nothing.     At  eight  called  on  the 
captain.     Then  to  Coffin's.     He  can  give  me  no  instructions 
about  my  baggage.     To  Fougiere's.     He  promises  to  write 
to  his  friend  V.  at  Helder  to  take  care  of  it ;   and  he  will 
write,  for  he  is  honest.     To  Cordie's,  where  took  coffee  as 
usual,  and  played  with  the  children,  my  daily  amusement. 
Mr.  C.  made  me  a  like  visit  this  morning. 

Wrote  last  night  and  to-day  a  memorandum  explanatory 
of  the  Akker's  negotiation.  Succeeded  pretty  well,  which 
has  consoled  me  a  little,  for  I  thought  I  had  become  torpid 
mentally.  Called  on  Fabrius  and  De  Man  to  confer  with 
them  on  that  subject ;  out.  Home.  Wrote  them  a  note, 
and  went  and  left  it.  Received  reply  this  evening,  giving 
me  rendezvous  to-morrow  morning. 

Amsterdam,  September  1,  1811.  Spent  the  night  in  flea 
hunting.     Had  great  luck.     Killed  five ;  but  the  friends  and 
relations  of  the  deceased  revenged  themselves  on  me  most 


OF    AARON  BURR.  227 

cruelly.  From  my  head  to  my  heels  there  is  not  a  square 
inch  free  of  flea-marks.  Rose  at  nine,  much  exhausted  with 
the  fatigue  and  suffering. 

At  eleven  to  De  Man's,  where  an  hour.  He  was  greatly 
edified  by  my  note  (memorandum),  and  wanted  a  copy,  which 
I  declined.  I  see  that  nothing  effectual  will  be  done.  A 
long  letter  from  Vanderlyn  this  morning.  He  will  now  get 
out  of  Paris.  Wrote  him  and  General  Turreau  by  this  mail. 
No  answer  from  De  Villiers.  No  answer  from  Denon. 
None  from  Bellemare.  My  money  nearly  gone  ;  thirty  louis 
only  !  Wrote  this  P.  M.  to  Cagniard.  Mr.  D.  and  la  Borgue 
came  in  at  four.  Stayed  an  hour  and  drank  me  a  bottle  of 
wine.  They  proposed  a  party  to-morrow,  about  which  I 
now  begin  to  hesitate;  $a  come. 

2.  A  note  from  the  director  general,  giving  me  audience 
at  twelve  to-morrow.     To  the  captain ;  nothing  new.    No 
answers  from  Paris,  nor  from  Bellemare,  which  most  sur- 
prises me.     Passed  the  evening  with  Cord,  and  his  wife. 
Fabrius  and  De  Man  have  persuaded  me  to  let  them  try  to 
effect  an  accommodation  with  the  Holland  Company.     Con- 
sented with  reluctance,  auguring  no  good  ;  but  F.  and  D.  are 
men  of  sense  and  candour,  if  candour  there  be. 

3.  A  sad  day !     My  audience  has  had  the  most  unfortu- 
nate issue ;  from  what  causes  I  know  not,  but  have  every- 
thing to  apprehend.     Saw  F.  and  D.  this  morning ;  they  had 
opened   the  negotiation,  but  no  answer.     Am   ruminating 
whether  to  write  to  the  director  general,  or  what  to  do, 
but  can  form  no  resolution.     Now  half  past  twelve.     Have 
been  smoking  an  hour,  and  have  formed  my  plans.     Shall 
endeavour  to-morrow  (to-day)  to  seek  explanation  with  the 
director  general  through  some  of  those  who  see  him  most 
familiarly,  and,  when  the  way  shall  be  thus  prepared,  shall 
write.     But,  before  one  step  can  thus  be  taken,  I  may  be 
blown  into  air  by  his  word  or  his  frown. 

4.  At  nine  this  morning  called  on  Cagniard,  and  found 
him  at  home.     He  entered  into  the  affair  with  great  candour 


228  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

and  sensibility.  Indeed,  he  had  already  heard  the  story  told 
in  a  manner  the  least  favourable  to  me.  He  promised  his 
good  offices,  which  consoled  me  a  good  deal.  Called  on 
Fabrius  and  De  Man.  That  affair  will  come  to  nothing.  On 
Pluym.  Not  home.  Did  not  go  to  Fougiere,  determining 
not  to  say  a  word  to  him  of  my  trouble,  lest,  by  interfering, 
he  might  do  himself  mischief.  Home,  and  found  Fougiere 
in  my  room  waiting  for  me.  He  had  heard  the  story  in  bad 
colours,  and  came  for  explanations,  and  to  see  what  he  could 
do  for  me  ;  but,  from  what  he  had  related,  there  is,  I  fear, 
no  hope  of  accommodation.  He  will  confer  with  Cagniard. 

5.  Called  on  Cagniard,  but  could  not  find  him.     On  Cap- 
tain C.,  who  appeared  not  quite  so  friendly  as  usual.     Fear 
somebody  has  put  the  devil  into  him  too.     To  Fougiere's, 
and  had  a  long  talk.     He  proposes  to  see  Cagniard,  and  also 
the  director-general,  to-morrow,  and,  if  he  can  find  occasion, 
will  renew  the  subject  to  the  latter. 

6.  Early  this  morning  wrote  note  to  Fougiere,  and  sent  by 
messenger  (we  are  near  two  miles  apart),  advising  him  of 
some  suggestions    to  be  made  to  Cagniard.      Received  a 
most  friendly  reply.     Strolled  about  town,  doing  trifling  and 
useless    errands,  and   spending  money.     At  four  came  in 
Fougiere  agreeable  to  promise.     The  affair  is  arranged.     I 
am  to  see  the  director-general,  who  has  promised  to  receive 
me  with  his  accustomed  courtesy.    Fougiere  was  a  full  hour 
in  relating  the  story,  which  was,  certainly,  of  the  utmost  in- 
terest.    The  zeal,  intelligence,  and  delicacy  which  he  has 
displayed  throughout  this  affair  merit  my  gratitude.     We 
walked  out,  and  he  led  me,  without  telling  me  why,  to  a 
tavern  where  was  Pessonier,  the  secretary,  with  whom  the 
misunderstanding  commenced.     We  drank  a  glass  of  wine 
together  and  buried  the  hatchet. 

7.  Called  on  Fougiere  to  arrange  about  the  time  of  sesing 
the  director-general ;  but,  as  I  had  determined  to  go  to  Delft 
to  see  Van  Stipriaan,  we  agreed  to  defer  it  till  my  return, 
which  is  to  be  on  Tuesday.     Saw  Fab.  and  De  Man — a  rev. 


OF  AARON    BURR.  229 

obstacles.  No  reply  from  Pluym.  Called  on  Cagniard.  Out. 
The  captain  called  this  evening  while  I  was  out.  Wrote 
Bellemare  to-day. 

8.  After  writing  you  last  evening  walked  out  to  see  how 
the  Keemes  went  on.  Between  twelve  and  one  the  streets 
were  very  full  and  shops  open.  Our  place,  the  square  on 
which  I  live,  is  the  grand  resort ;  will  endeavour  to  describe 
to  you  how  the  Hollanders  amuse  themselves.  The  captain 
called  this  morning.  My  apprehensions  were  just.  He  de- 
mands of  me  four  hundred  and  fifty  guilders  immediately,  or 
that  he  should  break  up  the  voyage  and  sell  the  ship ;  by 
which  I  understand  that,  if  I  do  not  pay  the  four  hundred  and 
fifty,  he  will  go  off  without  me.  Heretofore  he  professed  to 
be  so  proud  to  have  me,  and  would  not  hear  me  talk  of 
money.  I  have  not  one  third  of  the  sum  he  demands,  nor 
have  I  any  hope  of  getting  it.  News  came  last  night  that 
not  one  of  the  Dutch  passengers  can  get  permission  to  em- 
bark. Called  on  Cagniard.  Out.  On  De  Man.  He  has 
answer  from  the  Holland  Company  gentlemen  that  they  will 
hold  no  conference,  nor  have  any  intercourse  with  A.  Burr. 
To  Pluym's.  Out.  About  five  miles'  walking  for  naught. 
Stayed  at  home  the  rest  of  the  day.  Dined  on  boiled  rice, 
as  for  all  the  week  past.  In  the  evening  called  at  Pluym's 
and  Fougiere's  again.  Neither  at  home.  Another  four  miles' 
walk  for  naught.  Mr. proposed  meeting  at  noon  to- 
morrow. Declined  on  preience  of  going  to  the  country. 

9.  Rose  at  five.  To  Cagniard's  at  eight,  and  found  him  ; 
thanked  him,  &c. ;  but  says  Marie  must  help  me  about  my 
baggage.  To  Pluym's.  He  cannot  give  me  my  account ; 
says  to-morrow  or  next  day  ;  but  readily  consented  to  give 
an  order  in  favour  of  Vanderlyn  for  one  hundred  francs.  To 
Fougiere's.  He  will  write  this  day  to  the  director-general, 
demanding  audience  for  us  (himself  and  me).  To  Fab. 
and  De  M. 

12.  We  shall  certainly — certainly  !  that's  a  word  which 
ought  not  to  be  used  here1 — yet  it  seems  we  shall  go.  I  have 


230  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

paid  the  captain  480  guilders,  which  is  equal  to  about  fifty 
louis.  But  how  did  I  raise  this  ?  The  reply  contains  a  dread- 
ful disclosure.  I  raised  it  by  the  sale  of  all  my  little  "  meu- 
bles"  and  loose  property.  Among  others,  alas  !  my  dear 
little  Gamp.'s  ;  it  is  shocking  to  relate,  but  what  could  I  do  ? 
The  captain  said  it  was  impossible  to  get  out  of  town  with- 
out 500  guilders.  He  had  tried  every  resource,  and  was  in 
despair.  The  money  must  be  raised  or  the  voyage  given 
up.  So,  after  turning  it  over,  and  looking  at  it,  and  opening 
it,  and  putting  it  to  my  ear  like  a  baby,  and  kissing  it,  and 
begging  you  a  thousand  pardons  out  loud,  your  dear,  little, 
beautiful  watch  was — was  sold.  I  do  assure  you — but  you 
know  how  sorry  I  was.  If  my  clothes  had  been  saleable, 
they  would  have  gone  first,  that's  sure.  But,  heighho ! 
when  I  get  rich  I  will  buy  you  a  prettier  one. 

Helder,  September  14,  1811.  We  left  Amsterdam  yester- 
day afternoon,  and  arrived  here  at  nine  this  morning.  My 
baggage  is  all  embarked.  I  have  been  on  board  the  Vigilant, 
that  ship  which  is  to  bear  me  to  thee.  We  should  have 
sailed  this  afternoon,  but  Mr.  Henderson,  my  fellow-passen- 
ger, has  not  arrived.  No  doubt  he  will  be  here  in  the  morn- 
ing, and  within  an  hour  after  his  arrival  we  shall  sail.  I 
feel  as  if  I  were  already  on  the  way  to  you,  and  my  heart 
beats  with  joy.  Yet,  alas  !  that  country  which  I  am  so  anx- 
ious to  revisit  will  perhaps  reject  me  with  horror.  In  the 
midst  of  these  mingled  emotions,  a  slight  apprehension 
comes  across  my  mind,  lest,  in  this  short  interval,  something 
should  occur  to  retard  or  defeat  our  voyage.  But  I  reason 
that  off;  for  there  is  no  real  ground  of  doubt.  I  have  done 
my  best  to  induce  the  captain  to  go  this  evening,  leaving 
Mr.  Henderson,  for  his  negligence  is  inexcusable  ;  an-d  the 
captain  had  once  resolved  to  go,  but,  hearing  that  Mr.  Hen- 
derson had  actually  left  Amsterdam  this  morning,  determined 
to  wait  till  to-morrow.  The  wind  is  favourable,  the  weather 
is  fine  ;  what  pity  to  lose  an  hour. 

Helder  is  about  forty-five  miles .  from  Amsterdam,  at  the 


OF  AARON  BURR.  231 

entrance  of  the  Zuyder  Zee,  on  the  south  side,  and  on  the 
seashore.  My  windows  look  over  the  ocean  ;  that  ocean 
which  separates  me  from  all  that  is  dear.  With  what  pleas 
ure  I  did  greet  it  after  three  years'  absence.  I  am  never 
weary  of  looking  at  it.  There  seems  to  be  no  obstacle  be- 
tween us,  and  I  almost  fancy  I  see  you  and  Gampy,  with  the 
sheep  about  the  door,  and  he  "  driving  the  great  ram  with  a 
little  stick." 

I  forget  that  the  little  island  of  Great  Britain  lies  between 
us,  and,  what  is  worse,  their  ships ;  there  are  now  four  of 
them  in  full  sight  not  two  leagues  off.  But,  as  we  have  nei- 
ther merchandise  nor  Frenchmen  on  board,  I  think  they  will 
let  us  go  on. 

Now  past  twelve,  a  beautiful  clear  night ;  no  moon,  but 
stars  and  the  comet,  which  is  a  beautiful  object.  Since  wri 
ting  the  preceding  pages,  I  have  been  several  hours  at  my 
window  musing ;  gazing  at  the  comet,  the  stars ;  and  the 
ocean  ;  lulled  by  the  beating  of  the  waves  on  the  shore,  not 
one  hundred  paces  from  the  place  I  sit.  But  what  a  long, 
long  night  this  will  be.  The  captain  swears  that,  whether 
Henderson  come  or  not,  he  will  sail  to-morrow.  But  ah ! 
with  such  wind  and  such  weather,  and  free  permission  to  go  ! 
twenty-four  hours  is  an  age. 

15.  My  dear  children,  I  am  dying  with  vexation  and  im- 
patience. Henderson  has  not  come  ;  and,  after  wavering  and 
wavering,  and  resolving  and  re-resolving,  the  captain  has  de- 
termined to  wait  till  morning ;  but  he  has  pledged  me  his 
honour  that  he  will  go  on  board  at  nine  and  make  sail  im- 
mediately- 

What  a  weary  day  this  has  been.  Even  the  ocean  could 
not  attract  my  attention.  I  have  done  nothing  but  look  up 
the  road  for  Henderson.  I  have  walked  out  in  these  sands, 
much  like  yours  near  Charleston,  near  two  miles  to  meet 
him,  but  I  did  not  meet  him.  The  wind  and  the  weather 
continue  the  same.  Everything  invites  us  to  depart,  and 

here  we  remain. 
VOL.  II.  15 


232  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

Amsterdam,  September  16.  1811.  It  is  no  mistake  in  the 
date,  my  dear  Theodosia ;  you  need  not  stare  so,  and  repeat 
over  Amsterdam,  Amsterdam,  Sept.  16,  and  then  you  look 
back  to  the  last  sheet,  "  Helder,  Sept.  15."  It  is  really  so  ;  I 
am  at  Amsterdam.  Our  voyage  is  retarded  for  at  least  ten 
days,  if  not  quite  broken  up. 

At  the  moment  I  was  writing  to  you  yesterday  afternoon, 
an  express  from  Amsterdam  was  announced.  My  blood 
chilled  at  the  mention  of  an  "  express."  Almost  at  the  same 
moment  came  rushing  into  my  room  Blommestein,  his  face 
illumined  with  joy.  He  embraced  me  with  cordiality,  and 
handed  me  a  letter  from  Cagniard,  advising  me  that  his  ma- 
jesty's permission  has  just  been  received  for  all  the  Dutch 
and  other  European  passengers  to  embark,  and  hoped  we 
would  consent  to  a  short  delay  to  allow  them  time  to  come 
down.  There  are  about  fifty  of  these  passengers,  which 
will  give  about  10,000  florins  more  to  the  captain.  He  de- 
termined at  once  to  go  to  Amsterdam,  to  receive  his  money 
and  renew  his  stock  of  provisions.  I  thought  it  best  to  stick 
to  him.  Blommestein  invited  me  to  take  a  seat  in  his  car- 
riage, and  at  eight  last  evening  we  were  on  our  way  back. 
We  lodged  at  the  Zande.  Passed  through  Alkmaer  and 
Berwyck,  the  latter  a  beautiful  little  town,  and  the  only 
one  I  have  seen  in  Holland  which  is  free  of  stagnant  water, 
there  being  no  canals.  Arrived  here  at  three.  The  captain 
had  a  separate  carriage  with  the  Gerritzi  and  her  sister,  who 
had  come  to  Helder  to  see  us  off. 

Blommestein  says  they  are  all  ready,  and  will  be  on  board 
on  Wednesday ;  and  the  captain  swears  he  will  sail  on  Thurs- 
day ;  but  I  know  better.  We  are  'stopped,  I  tell  you,  for 
ten  days,  if  not  foi  ever.  During  ten  days,  how  many 
political  events  may  occur  to  retard  anew  or  to  defeat  our 
voyage !  4  ^ 

On  board  the  Vigilant,  Yarmouth  Roads,  October  9,  1811. 
I  came  at  one  this  morning,  and  I  slept  till  nine.  Had  my 
coffee,  as  usual,  in  my  cabin  with  J.  Helder.  Our  bread  is 


OF    AARON    BURR.      .  233 

still  unexpended,  and  is  much  better  than  that  which  is  got 
on  shore.  At  twelve  we  got  under  weigh  to  go  round  the 
point  into  the  harbour,  but  it  was  discovered  that  our  ship 
drew  too  much  water,  and  we  came  to  anchor  very  near  the 
place  we  had  left.  Then  came  on  board  three  more  custom- 
house officers,  for  the  purpose  of  taking  an  inventory  of  the 
passengers,  i.  e.,  description  of  their  persons,  their  age,  desti- 
nation, &c.,  &c.,  &c.  We  all  passed  under  the  standard  to 
ascertain  the  height ;  men  and  women ;  all  above  fourteen. 
This  ceremony  lasted  till  six  o'clock,  and  then  we  had  din- 
ner, with  rather  more  than  the  ordinary  confusion,  there  be 
ing  keener  appetites  and  less  room  than  usual,  on  account 
of  the  late  hour  and  the  addition  of  the  custom-house  officers 
to  our  number.  ^ 

La  V.  spelt  hard  for  an  invitation  to  my  cabin;  hut  J. 
had  possession,  and  she  shall  maintain  her  privileges  who- 
ever else  may  pretend.  She  has  just  now  gone  to  her  berth. 
Fortunately,  the  weather  is  mild  and  clear,  and  the  wind  at 
W. ;  if  it  were  E.,  we  should  suffer  and  be  much  exposed. 

Our  captain  has  been  ashore  to-day,  but  cannot  get  per- 
mission to  go  to  London.  We  hope  for  replies  to  our  letters 
to-morrow.  We  hope,  also,  to  get  into  the  harbour  to-mor- 
row ;  and,  when  there,  it  is  said  we  may  have  the  privilege 
of  going  on  shore.  No  great  privilege  for  one  who  has  but 
two  ducats  for  his  whole  fortune.  Still  the  privilege  is 
something,  even  if  no  use  be  made  of  it. 

The  captain  swears  that  after  to-morrow  he  will  not  give 
an  ounce  of  provisions  nor  a  drop  of  liquor  to  any  passenger. 
They  must  go  on  shore  or  find  themselves. 

London,  October  16,,  1811.  Left  Yarmouth  at  ten  A.  M. 
yesterday,  and  arrived  at  seven  this  morning.  Distance  114 
miles.  We  were  six  inside  (part  of  the  way  seven)  and  ten 
out.  Great  quarrelling  about  places.  Captain  Johnson  and 
Julie  were  of  the  party.  The  roads  perfectly  good.  The 
Paysege  Riante.  The  villages  neater  than  I  had  before  seen 
in  England.  Perhaps,  however,  I  see  with  different  eyes, 


234  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

fresh  from  the  decay  and  misery  almost  everywhere  exhib- 
ited on  the  Continent. 

Wrote  William  Graves,  who  called  immediately.  Learn 
that  I  shall  be,  am  pursued  again  by  White  about  those  un- 
fortunate books.  So  must  change  room  and  lodgings.  Jul. 
wrote  to  her  sister,  who  called  and  took  her  off.  Randolph 
called,  and  we  went  out  together.  To  Reeves's,  who  re- 
ceived me  with  his  usual  kindness.  Assures  me  that  I  shall 
meet  no  trouble  from  the  government.  He  gave  me  note 

to  Mr. ,  under   secretary  of  state,  whom   saw  about 

Blommestein  and  others  to  get  them  on  shore.  Delivered 
Sello's  letter  to  his  friend  Henniman.  Home.  Lay  down 
at  three  and  slept  two  hours,  being  much  fatigued  by  two 
nights'  vigils.  Tea  at  six.  Then  called  on  Mrs.  M.  J. 
Godwin.  They  all  knew  me,  the  wig  malgre.  Graves  has 
offered  me  a  room  at  his  house,  which  I  shall  accept  till  I 
can  know  when  and  how  I.  am  to  move.  Had  just  money 
enough  to  pay  my  expenses  on  the  road  and  two  shillings 
over.  The  ship  Vigilant  like  to  be  detained  for  trial.  The 
Louisa  about  to  sail  for  Charleston.  But  how  to  pay,  and 
how  to  get  on  my  baggage  in  time,  are  grave  questions. 
Found  a  note  from  Koe  in  behalf  of  Bentham,  who  is  still 
at  Barrow  Green,  saying  they  will  be  delighted  to  see  me 
Home  at  nine,  and  at  ten  am  going  to  bed. 

TO   MONS.    DENON. 

Amsterdam,  June  14, 1811. 

Agreeably  to  the  letter  which  I  had  the  honour  of  address- 
ing to  you  on  the  26th  of  May,  I  left  for  Sulingen  and  re- 
turned to  this  place  on  Wednesday  last,  having  been  delayed 
several  days  by  an  accident. 

Despairing  of  being  enabled  to  complete  my  business  with 
the  Studniskis,  &c.,  I  was  about  to  depart  for  Paris,  when, 
contrary  to  all  expectation,  I  received  a  letter  from  these 
gentlemen  stating  that  on  the  following  day  they  would  give 


OF    AARON    BURR.  235 

me  written  answers  to  all  my  questions.  This  is  a  new  de- 
lay, but  I  cheerfully  submit  to  it. 

On  my  return  the  secretary  general  of  police  received  me 
with  more  kindness,  and  spoke  freely  of  the  prince's  unea- 
siness at  my  long  stay  at  Amsterdam.  Although  I  have  not 
had  the  pleasure  of  receiving  an  answer,  I  am,  nevertheless, 
assured  that  you  or  the  Duke  of  Bassano  will  be  there,  for 
many  reasons.  I  thank  you  both  in  advance.  I  leave  to- 
morrow, and  hope  to  salute  you  on  Sunday  the  23d.  This 
will  be  my  first  duty  and  my  greatest  pleasure  on  my  arrival 
in  Paris. 

In  this  country,  so  famed  for  fogs,  I  have  seen  nothing 
but  a  clear  sky.  Not  even  a  pattern  of  a  cloud.  Is  this  the 
happy  consequence  of  the  reunion  ?  It  is  no  longer  Bata- 
via.  A.  BURR. 

TO    THEODOSIA. 

Paris,  July  11, 181  *. 

The  day  after  writing  you  in  April  (about  the  1st),  I  was 
advised  from  authority  that  I  could  have  any  sort  of  pass- 
port at  pleasure.  Took  one  for  the  United  States,  to  sail 
from  Bourdeaux.  A  passport  to  leave  the  empire  must  pass 
through  three  offices.  Mine  passed  the  first  and  was  trans- 
mitted to  the  second ;  from  which,  after  the  delay  of  a  fort- 
night, I  received  a  certificate  that  it  had  been  transmitted  to 
the  third.  Thither  I  went,  and  received  a  certificate  that  it 
had  never  come  there.  After  five  weeks  more  of  delay  and 
fruitless  courses,  it  was  agreed  that  the  passport  was  lost, 
and  I  must  get  another.  Did  so ;  and,  contemplating  six 
weeks  more  of  delay,  improved  the  interval  in  a  journey  to 
Holland  and  to  Bremen,  where  I  had  business.  Returned 
to  Paris ;  found  the  affair  of  passport  just  where  I  left  it. 
Have  been  urging  it  now  for  eighteen  days  without  having 
advanced  a  step.  What  to  conclude  is  beyond  my  ken. 
But  Vanderlyn  will  go  out  in  a  few  weeks.  It  is  also  equal- 
ly certain  that  60  will  be  out  this  autumn.  By  both  of  these 
vou  shal1  hear,  particularly  the  latter. 


236  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

Your  letters  of  January  and  April  last  have  reached  me. 
I  will  not  plague  thee  any  more  with  that  infernal  No.  20 ; 
but  the  letters  of  my  dear  little  Gamp,  have  not  come. 
They  will  come,  however,  for  I  will  ransack  all  Europe  for 
them.  By  Vanderlyn  will  write  to  him.  It  is  greatly  to  be 
feared  that  your  dictionaries,  amounting  to  twenty-two  vol- 
umes folio,  five  quarto,  and  six  octavo,  will  never  find  their 
way  to  South  Carolina.  The  British  take  everything,  and 
plunder,  as  is  said,  to  the  very  chemise.  My  health  always 
the  same.  Write  to  me,  through  no  other  channel,  by  the 
consul,  Henry  Gahn.  A.  BURR. 

TO    THE    DUKE    OF    ROVIGO. 

Paris,  July  18,  1811. 

In  the  month  of  May  last,  having  been  advised  that  his 
majesty  had  granted  me  permission  to  return  to  the  United 
States,  I  procured  a  passport  from  the  legation  from  my  own 
country,  and  had  it  countersigned  by  the  minister  of  foreign 
relations  ;  it  was  transmitted  to  the  secretary  general  of  the 
police.  On  the  1 5th  of  June  following,  the  secretary  general, 
by  letter,  informed  me  that  my  passport  had  received  the  sanc- 
tion of  your  excellency,  and  that  it  had  been  sent  to  the 
"  Prefeture,"  where  I  immediately  repaired.  I  learned,  with 
some  vexation,  that  my  passport  had  not  reached  the  office. 
Mr.  Leger  gave  me  a  certificate  to  this  effect.  After  sev- 
eral useless  efforts,  I  was  definitively  informed  that  there  was 
no  other  remedy  than  to  begin  anew. 

I  have  obtained  from  Mr.  Russell  another  passport  to  re- 
turn to  the  United  States,  by  the  way  of  Bourdeaux  or  Bay- 
onne  ;  but  learning,  some  days  afterward,  that  the  only  vessel 
by  which  I  could  have  procured  a  passage  had  sailed,  and  hav- 
ing no  knowledge  of  any  other  that  would  sail  in  less  than 
six  or  eight  weeks,  I  took  advantage  of  the  interval  to  repair 
to  Holland  on  some  private  business,  the  nature  of  which  I 
had  the  honour  of  communicating  to  his  excellency  at  the 
time  I  asked  permission  to  go  there. 


OF    AARON    BURR.  237 

While  in  Amsterdam,  Captain  Combes,  of  the  American 
ship  Vigilant,  received  permission  from  his  majesty  to  sail 
in  ballast.  He  offered  me  a  passage,  which  I  gladly  ac- 
cepted. On  rny  return  to  Paris  I  applied  to  Mr.  Russell  to 
change  my  passport  or  to  give  me  another,  which  he  refused 
to  do.  Last  evening  I  received  a  letter  from  Capt.  Combes, 
in  which  he  informs  me  that  he  shall  leave  on  the  23d  of 
the  month.  If  I  can  possibly  procure  my  passport  by  Sat- 
urday morning,  by  leaving  the  same  day  I  should  be  at  Am- 
sterdam on  the  24th.  I,  in  consequence,  beseech  you  to 
forward  to  me  the  said  passport  to  the  United  States,  by  the 
way  of  Amsterdam.  A.  BURR. 

FROM    MADAME    Z. 

Paris,  July  20, 1811. 

I  regret  exceedingly  that  indisposition  prevented  my  ac- 
companying you  to  Jobenlin's,  and  I  learn,  with  equal  dis- 
appointment, that  you  are  so  soon  to  leave  Paris.  We  had 
hoped  to  have  you  with  us  in  our  new  abode,  and  to  let  you 
see  the  uncertain  dependance  to  which  the  injustice  of  your 
persecutors  has  reduced  Mr.  B.  and  his  children. 

I  send  you,  sir,  a  "  traveller's  pen,"  said  to  be  without 
end.  I  know  of  nothing  which  more  exclusively  belongs  to 
you.  May  this  metallic  one  be  instrumental  in  showing  to 
posterity  how  much  you  have  been  the  victim  of  the  envy 
and  injustice  of  your  countrymen.  It  will  be  serviceable  to 
you,  and  will  be  useful  to  men  of  every  other.  Be  pleased 
to  accept  this  trifling  testimonial  of  my  esteem  and  respect. 

2 

TO  MADAME  Z. 

Amsterdam,  August  28, 1811. 

It  is  quite  impossible  for  me,  madame,  to  express,  in  a 
language  of  which  I  am  ignorant,  how  much  I  was  surprised 
and  flattered  by  your  charming  little  note,  and  the  pen  which 
accompanied  it.  Could  I  write  the  French  like  a  Parisian, 


238  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

it  would  even  then  be  equally  difficult.  I  have  read  and 
re-read  the  note  at  least  twenty  times,  and  examined  the 
pen.  This  was  my  amusement  for  one  long  day,  which  still 
appeared  short. 

The  next  day,  having  to  write  to  the  minister,  I  determined 
to  test  the  inspiration  of  this  pen.  At  first  I  had  much  diffi 
culty  in  persuading  myself  to  use  it,  it  was  so  beautiful,  so 
brilliant.  At  last  I  filled  it  with  ink,  and  sat  myself  down 
to  write  ;  but  all  my  ideas  (if  I  had  any)  were  wandering. 
I  could  think  but  of  you.  Having  in  vain  ransacked  my 
brains  for  half  an  hour,  I  gave  up  the  business  for  the  time. 
The  same  result  followed  the  second  attempt.  I  have  come 
to  the  conclusion,  therefore,  that  the  pen  ought  to  be  conse- 
crated to  friendship  and  sentiment,  and  never  should  be  sul- 
lied by  appropriating  it  to  matters  of  business.  The  most 
interesting  service  in  which  it  ever  will  be  employed  will 
be  to  express  to  you  the  devotedness  with  which  I  am  your 
friend. 

Our  voyage  is  postponed  to  the  llth  of  September.  I 
will  take  advantage  of  the  interval  to  repair  to  Paris.  Re- 
member that  you  are  to  be  there  for  many  reasons. 

A.  BURR. 

FROM   MONS.  DENON. 

Paris,  July  18,  1811. 

Enclosed,  my  dear  colonel,  is  the  letter  from  the  duke  ; 
you  will  perceive  by  it  that  your  business  is  in  train.  If  you 
call  on  me  to-morrow,  we  will  consider  what  is  to  be  done 
at  the  police.  A  thousand  times  your  friend,  DENON. 

THE  DUKE  OF  BASSANO  TO  MONS.  DENON. 

Paris,  July  18,  1811. 

The  person  through  whom  I  could  have  communicated  to 
Mr.  Russell,  that  he  should  not  have  refused  a  new  passport 
to  Mr.  Burr,  was  in  the  country.  I  wrote  to  HER*  yester- 

*  Thus  affairs  were  managed  in  France.    The  rightful  claims  of  an  American 


OF    AARON    BURR.  239 

day  to  return.  SHE  arrived  at  the  moment  that  your  note 
was  received.  I  shall  have  the  passport  in  the  course  of  the 
day,  and  shall  forward  it  immediately  to  the  duke  (Rovigo), 
and  I  am  convinced  that  you  will  receive  it  to-morrow,  to 
transmit  to  Mr.  Burr.  THE  DUKE  OF  BASSANO. 

FROM   MONS.  DENON. 

Paris,  July  18, 1811. 

My  dear  colonel,  enclosed  is  a  second  note.  Use  de- 
spatch in  reference  to  it.  You  have  a  friend  in  the  police ; 
make  him  act.  I  hope  to  have  the  honour  of  your  company 
to-morrow.  A  thousand  times  your  friend,  DENON. 

THE  DUKE  OF  BASSANO  TO  MONS.  DENON. 

Paris,  July  18, 1811. 

My  dear  Denon,  I  have  received  the  passport  from  Mr. 
Russell  for  Mr.  Burr,  and  have  sent  it  to  the  Duke  of  Rovigo, 
requesting  an  immediate  return  of  it.  It  ought  to  reach  me 
this  evening.  Thus  there  is-  nothing  to  prevent  the  depar- 
ture of  the  colonel  to-morrow,  unless  the  police  should  throw 
those  obstacles  in  the  way,  which  I  think  I  have  prevented. 

LE  Due  DE  BASSANO. 

TO    GENERAL    TURREAU. 

Amsterdam,  September  1, 1811. 

Mr.  Burr  has  received  at  this  place  the  note  which  Gen- 
eral Turreau  did  him  the  honour  to  address  to  his  lodgings 
on  the  20th  of  August.  He  regrets  exceedingly  that  he 
cannot  profit  of  the  general's  invitation.  It  would  have  af- 
forded Mr.  Burr  the  utmost  pleasure  to  have  passed  a  few 
hours  with  the  general,  but  has  now  little  hope  of  having 

citizen  for  a  passport  were  spurned  for  months  by  the  patriotic  Mr.  Russell. 
But  the  French  minister  (Bassano)  knew  the  influence  which  would  control 

the  American  charge  (Russell),  and,  therefore,  Madame was  desired  to 

come  to  Paris.  Her  presence  in  a  few  hours  changed  the  stern  decree  of  this 
pure  patriot,  and  the  passport  was  instantly  granted.  See  Journal,  16th,  17th, 
and  18th  July,  vol.  ii.,  p.  216-219. 


240  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

that  satisfaction,  being  here  for  the  purpose  of  taking  a  pas- 
sage for  the  United  States,  and  expecting  to  sail  about  the 
twelfth  instant. 

Mr.  Burr  would  be  greatly  obliged  to  General  Turreau 
for  a  few  lines,  communicating  what  he  may  know  of  Mrs. 
Alston,  Mr.  Burr's  daughter,  and  of  any  other  of  his  friends. 
Mr.  Burr  would  be  happy  in  being  the  bearer  of  any  com- 
mands from  General  Turreau  to  his  friends  in  the  United 
States.  He  offers  respectful  compliments,  &c. 

TO    J.    REEVES. 

Yarmouth  Roads,  Octobers,  1811. 

ft  is  something  more  than  two  years  that  I  was  banished 
and  transported  out  of  England,  and  now,  equally  against  my 
will,  I  am  brought  back  again. 

Having  been  detained  in  France  more  than  eighteen 
months  in  a  sort  of  limbo,  called  surveillance,  constantly  so- 
liciting and  denied  a  passport,  I  at  length  obtained  one  under 
an  assumed  name,  and  sailed  from  the  Texel  on  the  28th 
September,  in  the  American  ship  Vigilant,  Captain  Combes, 
bound  for  Boston.  On  Monday,  the  29th,  were  visited  by 
his  majesty's  frigate,  le  Desiree,  who  took  possession  of  our 
ship  and  ordered  her  to  Yarmouth  ;  but  the  wind  being 
ahead,  and  the  Vigilant  a  dull  sailer  and  badly  equipped, 
after  six  days'  hard  labour,  without  having  approached  Yar- 
mouth, Mr.  Word,  the  prizemaster,  thought  it  prudent  to 
put  into  any  port  he  could  make.  This  afternoon  we  cast 
anchor  in  the  mouth  of  the  Thames,  and  I  hasten  to  an- 
nounce myself  to  you,  as  well  to  avoid  all  appearance  of 
mystery  as  to  ascertain  the  measure  of  hospitality  which  I 
may  expect  from  the  government. 

My  object  was  when  I  embarked,  and  still  is,  to  get  as 
soon  as  possible  to  the  United  States.  If  it  be  probable 
that  the  Vigilant  will  be  long  detained,  I  shall  seek  a  passage 
in  another  vessel ;  but  as  her  case  is  in  every  respect  anal- 
ogous to  that  of  the  Maria,  Capt.  Edes,  captured  on  her  way 


OF    AARON    BURR.  241 

from  the  Texel  to  the  United  States  in  September,  1810, 
sent  into  England,  and  immediately  released,  I  am  in  hopes 
that  we  shall  experience  similar  treatment. 

In  the  mean  time,  I  could  wish  to  be  permitted  to  go  to 
London,  as  well  to  see  you  and  two  or  three  others  from 
whom  I  have  received  hospitality,  as  to  be  able  the  sooner 
to  take  measures  for  my  departure,  in  case  of  the  detention 
of  the  Vigilant.  Address  to  A.  Burr,  on  board  the  Vigilant. 

Imagine  to  yourself,  my  dear  sir,  on  board  a  small  ship, 
very  badly  accommodated,  fifty-four  passengers,  of  whom  a 
majority  women  and  children  ;  thirty-one  sailors,  thirty-three 
hogs,  and  about  one  hundred  other  quadrupeds  and  bipeds. 
With  this  picture  in  your  mind,  I  am  sure  you  will  hasten 
to  reply  and  to  furnish  me  some  sort  of 'passport  or  privilege 
of  locomotion.  A.  BURR. 

FROM    HUBERT    KOE. 

Barrow  Green,  October  16,  1811. 

Your  letter,  my  dear  colonel,  has  this  moment  arrived,  and 
there  is  only  time  to  say  that  we  shall,  all  of  us,  be  most  de- 
lighted to  see  you  here  as  soon  as  ever  you  can  be  with  us. 
Affectionately,  HUBERT  KOE. 

TO    THEODOSIA. 

London,  October  29, 1811. 

I  sailed  from  the  Texel  on  the  29th  of  September,  in  the 
American  ship  Vigilant,  bound  to  Boston.  On  the  same  day 
we  were  taken  by  a  British  frigate  and  sent  into  Yarmouth. 
I  wrote  to  the  superintendent  of  the  alien  office  for  permis- 
sion to  land,  which,  contrary  to  my  expectations,  was  imme- 
diately granted.  I  came  hither,  and,  finding  a  very  affec- 
tionate letter  from  Jeremy  Bentham,  who  is  still  in  the  coun- 
try, went  out  and  have  passed  a  week  with  him.  By  this 
visit  I  missed  of  the  opportunity  of  Capt.  M'Niel,  who  has 
just  sailed  for  Charleston.  You  will  be  surprised  not  to 
have  had  a  line  from  me  by  him.  I  regret  it  the  more,  as 


242  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

there  were  persons  on  board  who  would,  with  good  faith  and 
good  will,  have  taken  charge  of  anything  for  you.  If  you 
knew  how  exceedingly  vexed  I  have  been  at  this  negligence 
or  misfortune,  call  it  which  you  will,  you  would  forgive  it. 

A.  BURR. 

FROM   J.    REEVES. 

London,  Octobers,  1811. 

I  have  only  time  to  say  that  you  alone  are  permitted  to 
come  up  to  London.  The  rest  of  the  passengers  are  to  pro- 
ceed on  their  original  voyage.  I  shall  be  glad  to  see  you. 

J.  REEVES. 

JOURNAL. 

London,  Nov.  22,  1811.  J.  B.  vint  at  ten  heure  et  nous 
allames  ensemble  chez.  A.  pour  le  presenter.  He  behaved 
so  like  a  savage,  that  A.  is  firmly  persuaded  he  is  crazy,  and 
she  has  almost  made  me  doubt.  Note. — A.  is  certainly  a 
little  cracked  herself.  Recollect,  however,  a  similar  instance. 
Peggy's  mother,  who  was  a  known  maniac,  was  the  first  to 
discover  the  insanity  of  her  daughter. 

December  1.  At  twelve  to  Reeves's,  to  get  advice  about 
landing  my  books  without  duty,  and  to  ask  passport  to  leave 
the  country.  To  the  first  point  he  could  say  nothing  ;  to  the 
other,  that  I  must  address  him  a  letter,  which  I  did. 

6.  Paid  a   visit  to  renew  my  acquaintance  with  Lewis 
Duval,  who  is  said  to  be  making  three  thousand  guineas  per 
annum  as  a  conveyancer.      He  was  civil.      Received  me 
comme  pa.     The  mother  is  dead  about  six  months  since. 

7.  Being  without  means,  have  resolved  to  offer  all  my 
books,  your  books,  I  should  say,  to  some  bookseller.     The 
books  are  at  Yarmouth,  but  I  have  the  list  here.     Called  on 
Madame  Godwin,  who  asked  me  to  dine  to-morrow,  to  meet 
Amelia  and  Mrs.  Fenwick ;  declined. 

8.  Had  left  my  list  of  books  with  Jeremy  Bentham  ;  called 
for  it  this  morning.     He  cannot  find  it.     May  set  it  down 


OF  AARON   BURR.  243 

as  lost.  Reading  over  Fonzi's  pamphlet,  it  occurred  to  me 
that  my  knowledge  of  his  art  might  be  turned  to  good  account 
here.  Went  off  to  see  De  Chemaunt,  the  most  celebrated 
in  that  line,  for  the  purpose.  He  had  moved,  and  could  not 
discover  his  address.  Then  took  my  two  watches,  for  there 
are  yet  two.  One  an  excellent  and  perfect  piece,  bought  at 
the  moment  of  leaving  Amsterdam  for  Gam.  self.  The 
*>ther  a  medallion.  Offered  them  to  Captain  Johnson  for 
twenty-five  guineas.  Am  to  call  to-morrow. 

Sir  Sidney  Smith  is  out  of  employ.  The  cause  supposed 
is  the  displeasure  of  the  Portuguese  Prince  Regent  at  Bra- 
zils, occasioned  by  some  gallantries  of  S.  S.  S.,  who,  it  is 
believed,  meditated  a  marriage  with  la  princesse.  Being 
recalled  from  that  station,  immediately  on  his  return  he 
married  the  widow  of  Sir  John  Rumbolt,  formerly  a  British 
ambassador.  A  lady  d'une  certain  age.  Her  children  nearly 
grown  up,  and  she  without  fortune. 

Yarmouth,  December  14,  1811.  On  Friday  morning  I 
learned  that  the  trial  of  the  Vigilant  was  postponed  for  a 
month.  Immediately  took  place  in  the  stage,  to  set  off  at  two 
P.  M.  same  day.  Arrived  at  the  place  at,  ten  minutes  past 
two,  and  the  stage  was  gone.  Pursued  it  on  to  the  Saracen's 
Head,  about  three  miles  from  my  quarters,  and  there  over- 
took it,  and  so  saved  my  money,  thirty-two  shillings ;  but 
was  exceedingly  fatigued  and  heated.  The  inside  passen- 
gers were  two  corn-merchants  (farmers)  and  one  grazier, 
all  very  rich  by  their  talk,  and  a  lad  about  twelve  or  thir- 
teen, whom  the  men  treated  with  great  deference.  Mr. 
Hall,  Mr.  Hall ;  conclude  his  p&re  is  rich.  There  were  also 
ten  outside  passengers,  principally  mariners.  The  talk  of 
my  compagnons  was  wholly  of  the  prices  of  wheat  and  beef, 
and  of  their  bargains ;  so  amused  myself  in  my  own  way. 
Arrived  at  the  place  of  supper,  the  landlord  put  the  gentle- 
men in  the  back  room,  and  provided  them  a  good  hot  supper. 
The  vulgar,  with  whom  I  was  assorted,  in  the  common  room, 
with  cold  beef  and  pickles.  I  procured  the  addition  of  hot 


244  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

potatoes,  and  made  an  excellent  supper,  and  was  greatly 
amused  with  my  new  compagnon;  paid  one  shilling  and 
sixpence.  Landed  here  at  two  P.  M.  this  day ;  distance 
one  hundred  and  twenty-two  miles.  Found  at  the  inn  my 
friend  Captain  Gales.  Being  too  late  to  do  business  at  the 
custom-house,  have  only  got  me  dinner  and  coffee,  and  a 
good  fire,  with  pipes  and  tobacco ;  but,  having  left  the  key  of 
my  writing-case,  in  which  are  all  my  other  keys,  have  had 
an  hour's  occupation  in  vainly  attempting  (with  the  aid  of  a 
locksmith)  to  pick  the  lock.  At  length  have  forced  it.  Three 
shillings  and  sixpence  for  this  inattention.  Our  first  coach- 
man is  a  most  insolent  and  abusive  rascal.  A  thing  very 
common  in  every  part  of  England,  and  tolerated  by  English- 
men as  one  of  the  rights  of  stage-coachmen.  After  insulting 
the  passengers,  they  never  fail  at  parting  to  demand  their 
drink-money.  I  have  resolved  to  take  all  my  baggage  to 
London,  though  the  freight  and  duties  will  ruin  me ;  it  must 
be  made  up  by  selling  off;  for  I  shall  never  see  you  if  I 
wait  for  this  Vigilant.  It  is  already  within  a  few  days  of  six 
months  since  I  left  Paris  on  my  way  to  the  United  States, 
and  then  believing  I  should  see  you  in  six  weeks ;  and  now, 
on  this  fourteenth  December,  am  farther  from  you  than  I 
was  on  the  fourteenth  July.  A.  came  to  see  me  the  morning 
of  my  setting  off  (yesterday).  It  is  a  most  interesting  crea- 
ture, of  an  exuberance  of  wit,  of  talents,  and  sensibility. 
This  acquaintance  and,  I  may  say,  friendship,  is  an  indemni- 
fication for  the  vexation  and  delay  of  this  capture. 

Hostile,  engine,  interesting,  are  words  which  my  learned 
friends  J.  B.  and  W.  G.  say  T  pronounce  &  1'Americaine,  and 
not  k  1'Angloise. 

Yarmouth,  December  15.  On  board  the  ship  Vigilant.  As 
the  repacking  and  gathering  up  of  my  effects  required  my 
presence  for  some  hours  here,  I  have  taken  up  my  quar- 
ters on  board-  for  the  night.  The  mate  is  abroad ;  the  only 
remaining  person  of  all  our  crew  and  passengers  is  his 
brother,  a  lad  of  fifteen.  He  got  me  a  dish  of  coffee,  of  which 


OF    AARON    BURR.  245 

1  partook  with  him  and  three  custom-house  officers  who  are 
on  board.  All  four  have  been  helping  me  all  the  P.  M.  and 
evening.  Captain  Gales  took  me  down  this  morning  in  his 
boat,  and  I  dined  with  him  on  board  his  ship ;  another  Amer- 
ican, also  under  trial. 

The  principal  motive  to  my  journey  hither  was  to  get  a 
pamphlet  about  a  new  mode  of  making  vinegar.  Happening 
to  mention  the  thing  to  the  celebrated  Mr.  Brunellf  he 
thought  it  of  great  value,  and  offered  to  put  it  in  practice  for 
our  joint  benefit.  That  very  pamphlet  is,  of  all  my  effects, 
the  only  article  missing.  I  have  emptied  my  two  huge 
trunks,  and  hunted  over  the  whole  ship,  but  no  pamphlet. 
How  vexatious,  not  only  that  I  lose  the  prospect  of  getting 
some  money,  but  Brunell  and  J.  B.  too,  to  whom  also  I 
mentioned  it,  will  think  I  have  been  telling  them  a  pack  of 
lies. 

16.  Had  a  very  comfortable  sleep  in  my  blankets  last 
night.  The  mate  came  in  at  one  o'clock,  which  was  before 
I  was  abed.  Rose  early.  Had  Gales's  boat.  My  old 
custom-house  officer,  Clifton,  came  down  as  agreed,  and 
went  off  with  all  my  things  to  the  custom-house.  After 
breakfast  I  followed  on  foot.  Gave  the  little  Frederic  a 
couple  of  waistcoats.  To  one  custom-officer  on  board,  five 
shillings ;  to  another,  seven  shillings  ;  another,  ten  shillings 
and  sixpence.  Met  civility  and  despatch  at  the  custom-house 
Dined  at  the  tavern.  Lost  three  more  keys,  which  gave 
me  some  hours'  very  amusing  occupation,  and  cost  me,  to- 
gether with  the  other,  five  shillings.  Have  been  all  the 
evening  overhauling  and  repacking,  and  have  not  been  out 
of  the  house  since  noon.  Now  midnight.  Dinner  and  tea 
at  the  tavern.  Sold  off  my  five  bottles  of  gin  and  ten  of 
wine  for  forty-nine  shillings.  They  are  worth  five  pounds. 
Shall  send  all  my  effects  by  water  to  London  ;  and,  by  the 
time  they  get  there,  probably  I  may  wish  them  back,  and  be 
obliged  to  retransport  them.  This  is  economy,  and  you 
will  wonder  what  it  means.  Will  tell  you  another  time. 


246  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

Have  a  headache.  Must  couche ;  and  must  first  write  a 
line  to  A.,  who  pretends  that  she  will  be  in  great  taking  if  I 
should  be  in  London  on  Wednesday  morning,  as  have  ap- 
pointed. Though  I  don't  believe  a  word  of  it,  yet  I  keep 
up  the  forms.  She  is  full  of  talents,  of  genius,  and  fascina- 
tion. But  I  forget  my  headache.  Bon  soir. 

17.  My  headache  prevented  me  from  telling  you  with 
what  regret  I  took  leave  of  my  little  cabin,  where  I  had  passed 
eighteen  days  with  so  much  comfort.  You  know  that  I  was 
on  board  eight  days  before  the  ship  sailed,  lying  at  anchor 
off  Helder.  "  How  should  I  know  anything  about  it,  for 
you  never  wrote  me  a  word  all  that  period  ?"  Now.  how- 
ever, you  do  know  it,  hussy  ;  so  don't  interrupt  me,  but  let 
me  go  on  with  my  story.  That  eight  days,  I  say,  were  em- 
ployed in  fitting  up  my  cabin.  I  bought  boards  and  nails. 
We  had  two  carpenters  and  a  joiner  on  board.  I  had 
shelves  for  my  books,  so  that  about  300  volumes  were  put 
up ;  a  table  to  let  down  at  pleasure  ;  places  for  candlesticks, 
for  my  breakfast  apparatus  (as  I  always  took  breakfast  in  my 
own  room),  for  bottles,  &c.  In  short,  for  everything.  Di- 
rectly over  my  table,  had  a  circular  hole  cut  through  the 
deck,  in  which  was  placed  a  patent  light  (a  semi-globe  of 
clear  glass),  which  gave  a  fine  light  for  reading  or  writing. 
We  had  rough  weather,  and  were  much  tossed  and  rolled ; 
not  an  article,  in  my  cabin  was  shaken  from  its  place,  though 
in  every  other  all  went  topsyturvy.  My  little  room  was  the 
envy  and  admiration  of  the  whole.  It  was  a  great  privilege 
for  any  lady  or  gentleman  to  be  permitted  to  enter.  Ma 
bonne  pet  Julie  had  always  that  privilege. 

After  bidding  you  bon  soir,  my  headache  returned  so  that 
I  could  not  write.  Slept  till  half  past  nine  this  morning,  in 
spite  of  the  efforts  of  the  maid  to  wake  me.  Headache  gone. 
My  agent  and  douanier  Clifton  came  in  just  as  I  had  got 
up.  He  had  already  been  to  the  Vigilant,  and  found  and 
brought  up  a  case  containing  fifty  jugs  Seltzer  water  which 
was  missing.  He  had  embarked  this  article  and  some  oth- 


OF    A  A  I?  ON    BURR.  247 

ers  on  board  the  ship  for  London,  with  whose  master  I  had 
agreed  yesterday  for  the  freight;  but  he  had  changed  his 
mind  and  refused  to  take  any.  We  were  obliged  to  take 
out  the  articles  shipped,  and  look  for  another  vessel.  Found 
one  going  next  week,  but  can't  take  my  things  on  board  till 
Thursday.  Voila  un  retard,  for  I  will  see  them  embarked. 
Breakfasted  and  dined  at  the  inn,  and  have  been  all  day  run- 
ning to  and  fro  after  custom-house  officers,  &c.,  and  marking 
my  things.  Wrote  Am.,  however,  by  this  day's  mail,  advi- 
sing her  of  the  delay,  and  nothing  more.  Wrote  also  to 
Homberg.  Called  on  the  Van  Grails,  and  took  tea  with 
them  this  evening.  The  news  of  the  taking  of  Batavia  by 
the  British  had  just  been  received.  This  event  rids  the  ship 
of  twenty-two  Holland  passengers,  who  were  on  their  way 
to  the  United  States,  thence  to  take  passage  for  Batavia, 
which  can  now  be  done  direct  hence. 

If  the  ship  Vigilant  should  be  released  before  my  depar- 
ture, I  shall  return  with  my  luggage  and  take  passage  in  her. 
It  would  be  so  charming  to  have  to  myself  the  range  of  a 
whole  ship  of  400  tons,  and  then  my  comfortable  little  cabin, 
which  I  had  fitted  up  with  so  much  trouble  and  expen  e. 
But  having  landed  my  effects,  and  fixed  it  in  my  head  that 
they  should  be  transported  to  London,  thither  they  must  go ; 
and  if  the  Vigilant  be  released  on  my  arrival  in  London,  I 
will  come  back  with  them  the  next  day.  This,  to  you,  will 
have  the  air  of  insanity,  considering  the  state  of  finance ; 
but  the  missing  so  fine  an  occasion  as  M'Niel  for  want  of 
my  baggage  has  determined  me  to  be  ready  for  any  other 
which  may  offer 

18.  Have  given  away  my  steel  pen  to  Clifton,  the  tide- 
waiter,  and  must  write  with  a  vulgar  goose-quill.  Have 
been  all  day  getting  my  things  out  of  the  custom-house  and 
on  board  the  ship  Commerce,  for  London.  Paid  duties  and 
permits,  twenty-seven  shillings  and  sixpence  ;  porters,  five 
shillings ;  custom-house  substitutes,  five  shillings  and  six- 
pence. Got  all  on  board.  Have  taken  a  seat  in  the  stage  for 

VOL.  II.  16 


248  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

half  past  nine  to-morrow,  and  paid  fifty-two  shillings  for  self 
and  baggage.  Called  to  see  Jaquett,  who  called  on  me  this 
evening,  as  did  Sheffield,  the  mate  ;  a  good,  hardy,  intelligent 
youth.  Jaquett  has  learned  some  words  of  English,  and  is 
doing  very  well. 

Am  much  stared  at  here.  Think  of  showing  Gamp,  for 
about  two  shillings  each  person  ;  half  price  for  children. 

Have  this  evening  changed  my  last  bill,  being  one  of 
ten  pounds,  to  pay  my  host ;  voila  mes  montres  dija  manges, 
and  encore  je  dois  &  ma  hotesse  b,  Londres.  But,  having  made 
more  than  a  million  of  guineas  last  night,  as  you  shall  know 
anon,  feel  quite  easy,  and  give  with  great  liberality  to  the 
domestics,  &c. 

When  last  in  New-York,  the  steamboat  had  just  got  into 
vogue.  Being  in  company  with  a  man  knowing  in  such 
things,  I  suggested  (but  very  slightly,  as  became  an  igno 
ramus)  how  the  thing  might  be  simplified  and  improved. 
He  thought  the  hint  of  no  value,  and  I  said  no  more.  My 
friend  D.  M.  R.,  and  another  whom  I  met  at  Graves's,  both 
great  projectors,  have  each  taken  patents  for  new  inventions 
on  that  subject.  I  examined  their  several  models,  but  was 
not  smitten  with  their  value.  My  old  idea  run  now  and 
then  in  my  head,  but  said  nothing.  Ruminating,  after  going 
to  bed  last  night,  on  the  state  of  the  treasury,  the  thing  came 
up  again,  and  engrossed  me  for  at  least  three  hours.  I  found 
it  perfect ;  applied  it  to  sea-vessels,  to  ships  of  war ;  in 
short,  to  everything  that  floats.  Sails,  and  masts,  and  rigging, 
and  the  whole  science  of  seamanship,  are  become  useless. 
My  vessels  go  at  the  rate  of  twenty  miles  an  hour,  and  am 
in  hopes  to  bring  them  to  thirty.  From  Charleston  to  New- 
York  will  be  a  certain  passage  of  thirty  hours ;  from  New- 
York  to  London,  of  six  days ;  but  to  tell  half  I  did  would 
fill  a  quire  of  paper. 

Rose  at  nine  this  morning ;  the  same  project  in  my  head, 
and  have  thought  of  nothing  else  the  whole  day.  The  mo- 
ment of  my  arrival  in  London  shall  sell  all  my  books  ;  your 


OF    AARON    BURR.  249 

books,  poor  little  Gampillo ;  and  all  my  clothes,  save  two 
shirts,  to  put  the  thing  in  execution  ;  and,  so  soon  as  I  get  this 
million,  Lord  !  what  pretty  things  will  buy  for  thee  and  Gam- 
pillo. Laid  out,  however,  a  great  deal  of  the  money  last 
night.  Thought  of  the  faithful  in  the  United  States.  Then 
succoured  the  G.'s,  and  made  an  establishment  for  A.  Bon 
soir. 

Let  me  not  omit  to  do  justice  to  the  civility  and  despatch 
which  I  have  met  from  every  person  about  the  custom- 
house with  whom  I  have  had  to  do. 

London,  December  20.  After  the  usual  concussions,  we 
arrived  at  half  past  twelve  this  day,  being  five  hours  later 
than  the  usual  time,  owing  to  the  excessive  weight  of  hares, 
partridges,  &c.,  with  which  we  were  encumbered ;  presents 
sent  to  town  friends  for  Christmas,  My  companions  were 
three  women  and  two  men.  A  most  vulgar  and  rude  set. 
They  would  not  even  let  me  sleep.  Wrote  note  to  A.  to 
announce  my  arrival.  Called  at  Graves's  to  see  for  letters. 
None,  Took  dinner  with  D.  M.  R.  at  our  eating-house. 
Home  early.  Have  had  my  coffee. 

21.  Couche  at  eleven.     Rose  at  nine.      Wrote  M.  J.  G.s 
to  inquire  whether  I  had  well  remembered  that  that  was  the 
fete  of  her  marriage.     Received  reply,  Yes.     To  Jeremy 
Bentham  at  two ;  on  the  way  calling  on  A.,  who  was  out. 
Sat  half  an  hour  with  J.  B.,  and  engaged  to  dine  with  him  tete- 
a-tete  on  Christmas-day.     The  young  men  are  to  be  banished. 
At  four  to  G.'s,  to  dine;  met  the  family  and  A.,  whose  birth- 
day this  is.     Mary  has  come  home,  and  looks  very  lovely,  but 
has  not  the  air  of  strong  health.     Passed  a  cheerful,  pleas 
ant  day.     Off  at  eleven.     Home  with  A.,  and  chez  rnoi  at 
half  past  twelve.     Received  answer  to  my  letter  to  D.  Wil- 
liamson.    Very  friendly,  like  a  Scotchman.     Ann  is  mar- 
ried.    Elton  Hammond  called  and  left  note  requesting  me  to 
dine  to-morrow  at  Hampstead. 

22.  My  young  inmate,  James  Leith,  a  fine  Scotch  lad  of 
about  nineteen,  left  the  lodgings  on  Friday  evening,  and  has 


250  PRIVATE  JOURNAL 

not  since  been  heard  of.  He  took  not  an  article  of  his 
clothes  or  property.  He  wrote  to  his  uncle,  Col.  Leith,  a 
letter  of  reproach  and  desperation.  Will  tell  you  the  story 
at  large  another  time.  It  is  feared  that  he  has  put  an  end 
to  himself.  Called  on  J.  B.  Got  answer  from  Arbuthnot; 
civil,  and  no  more. 

23.  I  being  now  the  sole  lodger,  we  make  a  common  me- 
nage.   To  Graves's.     Got  a  letter  from  Luning.    Very  kind. 
To  my  beer-house,  where  took  dinner  with  D.  M.  R.     His 
dinner  was  beef-steak  and  potatoes,  and  excellent.     Cost 
tenpence.     Mine,  of  fish,  was  two  shillings  and  sixpence. 
An  extravagance  which  will  not  soon  be  repeated.     Called 
on  the  Godwins  on  my  way  home,  and  took  tea.     Then  to 
see  Jul.  Huguenin.     Chez  moi  at  nine.     Not  a  word  yet  of 
young  Leith.     His  affair  put  it  out  of  my  head  to  tell  you 
that  I  dined  with  Elton  Hammond  on  Sunday.     He  occu- 
pies, at  present,  the  house  of  Gen.  Bentham  (Sir  Sam.),  who 
is  absent  at  Chatham.     This  E.  H.  is  an  enthusiastic  admi- 
rer of  J.  B.     Being  a  young  man  of  fortune,  and  born  a 
merchant,  he  has  retired  from  business  to  devote  himself  to 
philosophy.     Met  his  sister  Catharine,  also  a  philosopher, 
about   twenty-one ;   belle,  grande   blonde.     Mr.  Polloke,  a 
lawyer,  and  a  very  intelligent  young  man,  and  of  prepossess- 
ing frankness  and  simplicity  of  manners.     Dr.  Thomson,  of 
Edinburgh,  aussi  homme  d'esprit.    We  were  all  offered  beds, 
which  were  accepted  but  by  me.     On  my  way  out  this  fore- 
noon with  five  others,  got  so  sound  asleep  that  they  all  got 
out  without  waking  me,  and  I  should,  probably,  have  slept 
till  this  time  ;  but  the  coachman,  happening  to  look  in,  called 
me  to  know  what  he  should  do  with  me.     He  had  brought 
me  half  a  mile  beyond  my  station. 

24.  We  had  an  early  breakfast.     M.  Ayant  affaires.     It 
is  an   industrious,  contriving,  good  little   thing.     Cheated 
by  all  the  world  and  still  cheerfu'l.     Made  a  toilet  and  called 
on  ma  bonne  amie  Madame  Thorpe.     All  the  children  at 
home,  and  all  glad  to  see  me.     She  asked  me  to  dine  to- 


I 

OF   AARON    BURR.  251 

morrow  (Christmas),  which  I  much  regret  I  cannot,  being 
engaged,  as  you  know,  to  J.  B.  This  pen  is  intolerable,  and 
will  plague  you  to  death  to  read.  Will  hunt  for  a  better.  To 
Bartlett's.  He  was  out.  Saw  Mad.  B.and  Span.  To  Cas- 
tella's,  where  took  porter  and  cheese,  and  then  we  returned 
together,  talking  of  South  American  affairs.  He  is  the 
nephew  of  that  Castella  who  is  at  the  head  of  the  insurgent 
(patriot)  force  on  the  borders  of  Peru.  Called  on  A.  Out ; 
for  which  I  am  very  sorry,  not  having  seen  her  since  the 
birthday  dinner,  when  she  had  not  her  usual  gayety.  Not 
a  word  of  young  Leith.  Mr.  F.,  who  called  on  the  uncle, 
thought  him  extremely  calm  and  easy  on  the  subject.  Home 
at  four.  Took  coffee  for  dinner.  D.  M.  R.  came  in  and 
partook,  and  sat  an  hour.  Ma  belle  hoste  came  in  at  eight 
excessively  fatigued.  This  is  Christmas  eve.  I  have  no 
compliments  to  make  or  receive  in  this  country,  and  you 
are  probably  at  Oaks  with  Gampillo,  and  as  little  annoyed 
with  visits  as  myself.  Indeed,  chere  Theodosia,  Gam.  will 
make  another  effort  to  redeem  you.  Am  now  going  to  write  a 
letter  advised  by  J.  Benlham.  He  is  for  ever  plotting  some- 
thing for  my  benefit.  Merry  Christmas,  pessa  and  pillo. 
The  clock  strikes  twelve  !  The  criers  or  watchmen  are 
now  ringing  small  bells,  and  repeating  something  which, 
by  the  cadence,  is  verse ;  but,  though  I  have  opened  my 
windows,  I  can't  distinguish  a  word.  Will  inquire  to-mor- 
row and  tell  Gampillo. 

25.  A  fine,  mild,  clear  day ;  clear,  I  mean,  for  England ; 
not  our  sky.  The  watchmen  chant  out  (at  twelve,  Christ- 
mas eve)  some  pious  lines,  to  remind  folks  of  the  sanctity 
of  the  day.  There  are,  I  am  told,  other  lines  likewise  chant- 
ed, to  remind  the  good  housewives  to  get  up  and  bake  their 
mince-pies.  The  shops  are  all  shut  and  the  churches  open 
to-day  as  on  Sunday.  Did  not  get  abroad  till  two.  To 
the  Godwins' ;  the  three  girls  only  at  home.  To  Graves's  ; 
all  out.  Walked  home  again.  Then  at  five  to  A.  for  a  few 
minutes.  Thence  to  J.  B.,  where  dined  and  sat  till  ten. 


252  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

26.  A  few  flakes  of  snow  have  fallen,  but  does  not  freeze. 
Lay  abed  till  three  P.  M.  Cause,  mal  de  tete  ;  not  a  prop- 
er m^grin,  but  a  sort  of  Dutch  headache,  acquired,  I  be- 
lieve, by  breathing  the  hot,  rarefied,  disoxygenated  air  at  J. 
Bentham's.  He  warms  his  rooms  altogether  by  flues,  which 
admit  heated  air,  which,  I  fear,  will  shorten  his  life.  At 
four  called  on  A.,  who  is  to  dine  to  day  with  J.  B.  Perhaps 
I  have  not  told  you,  for  it  happened  during  some  of  those 
black  weeks  when  I  wrote  you  nothing,  that  I  had  brought 
them  together. 

Home,  and  lay  an  hour  on  the  sofa  below.  D.  M.  R.  came 
in.  He  is  greatly  distressed,  and  almost  ready  to  crever; 
finance  too ;  I  lent  him  forty  shillings  a  few  days  ago, 
being  exactly  one  half  of  my  whole  stock.  Took  my  break- 
fast at  eight  this  evening,  and  the  headache  passed  off. 

For  some  days  you  have  heard  nothing  more  of  my  nav 
igation  project.  It  continued  to  amuse  me  all  the  way  from 
Yarmouth  to  London,  and  till  the  Monday  following  (last 
Monday),  when,  walking  and  extending  the  plan,  suddenly 
an  objection  occurred  to  me  ;  it  struck  me  like  electricity  ; 
my  poor  vessels  lay  motionless  ;  it  was  just  opposite  Somer- 
set House  ;  I  stopped  short,  and  began  to  sacre  and  diable 
till  awakened  by  the  bustle  of  the  passing  crowd.  The  sub- 
ject then  lay  pretty  quiet  till  last  night;  during  my  vigils  I 
found  a  complete  remedy,  and  now  away  we  go  again. 
An  experiment  shall  be  made,  very  privately,  however,  and, 
if  it  fail,  there  shall  be  no  one  but  you  to  laugh  at  me. 

29.  Dined  with  A.,  to  meet  a  captain  commander  in  the 
navy  ;  his  friend,  also,  I  believe,  a  naval  officer,  dined  there. 
John  resembles  much  his  father ;  is  intelligent,  and  has 
marks  of  intrepidity  and  promptitude ;  other  details  will  be 
told.  Came  off  at  eight,  against  the  entreaties  of  the  whole 
company ;  but  seeing  J.  and  A.  both  gape,  began  to  think 
myself  de  trop  ;  old  men  should  be  a  little  jealous  and  pre- 
voyant  on  this  head.  Wrote  letter  to  J.  Bentham  about 
Miranda,  at  the  suggestion  and  to  gratify  J.  B.  Another 


OF    AARON    BURR.  253 

to  D.  Liming,  to  put  him  in  the  service  of  J.  B.  for  certain 
little  commissions. 

30.  Intended  to  have  gone  to  Chelsea  to-day  about  my 
vinegar,  but  lay  abed  till  ten,  and  then  too  late.  Then  re- 
solved to  see  friend  Allen,  but  wasted  time  till  too  late  for 
that  also. 

Last  night,  after  quitting  you,  instead  of  writing  another 
letter  which  J.  B.  desires,  took  a  French  comedy,  "Le  Con- 
ciliateur,"  which,  though  amusing,  is  not  of  the  very  first 
rate ;  but  was  so  much  amused  that  I  read  it  through,  one 
hundred  and  twenty-three  pages,  which  took  till  three;  by 
means  whereof,  lost  the  whole  of  this  day.  Made  a  reso- 
lution not  to  open  another  of  them  till  on  shipboard. 

Have  called  on  Julie.  Got  her  brother  to  do  something 
to  a  piece  of  Fonzi's  work,  and  went  to  a  jeweller  to  get 
something  further  done.  Sent  out,  and  got  cold  beef  and 
cold  potatoes,  tenpence,  for  dinner. 

A.  came  in  just  before  my  dining,  and  was  astonished  to 
find  how  uncomfortable  I  was,  and  repeated  it  over  and  over. 
There  is  no  truth  in  it ;  I  am  more  than  comfortable.  To 
be  sure,  of  the  nine  chairs  in  my  room,  eight  were  lumbered 
with  clothes,  &c.  The  two  tables,  the  chest  of  drawers, 
and  the  mantelpiece  the  like,  besides  about  fifty  articles 
on  the  floor.  The  fire  had  just  been  lighted  and  did  not  yet 
burn,  the  weather  cold,  and  such  little  matters  she  sup- 
posed essential  to  comfort.  As  to  the  arrangement,  it  is  my 
taste  ;  it  is  order  ;  everything  is  found  without  opening  trunks 
or  drawers,  and  I  never  suffer  my  room  to  be  swept. 
These  English  maids,  if  they  once  get  into  your  room,  hide 
everything;  and  this  they  call  neatness  and  order.  After 
such  a  misfortune,  which,  through  inadvertence,  now  and 
then  happens,  it  is  the  work  of  some  days  to  find  the  things 
most  usually  wanted. 

31.  Am  ashamed  to  tell  you  that  I  have  not  seen  either 
Brunell  or  friend  Allen.  At  about  twelve  last  night,  took 
up  a  French  novel,  Adele  de  Lenanges,  and  read  till  three. 


254  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

Lay  abed  till  eleven,  and  had  scarcely  time  to  write  the  let- 
ter to  Bassano  for  J.  Bentham,  and  to  get  to  the  stagehouse 
by  three  to  go  to  Hampstead,  where  I  was  engaged  to  dine 
with  Elton  Hammond.  Met  there  only  la  belle  Harriet,  his 
sister,  and  his  friend  Mr.  Rodney.  His  (Hammond's)  friends 
are  all  intelligent  and  well  informed.  Passed  a  very  pleas- 
ant day,  and  home  at  half  past  nine. 

D.  M.  R.,  Castella,  Don  Rylance,  and  Mr.  Bartlett,  all 
called  this  morning. 

Twelve.  Happy  Newyear !  Happy  Newyear !  Don't 
scream  so,  Gampillo,  you'll  wake  father. 

TO   JEREMY    BENTHAM. 

London,  October  16, 1811. 

Your  letter  of  the  10th  is  received.  I  shall  at  present  re- 
ply to  that  part  only  which  relates  to  General  Miranda. 

There  is  not,  to  my  knowledge,  any  hostility,  nor  any 
cause  of  hostility  between  us ;  nor  is  it  easy  to  conceive 
how  or  why  there  should  be.  We  never,  to  my  recollec- 
tion, met  but  once.  Then  at  the  house  of  a  common  friend 
in  Philadelphia,  and  at  the  time  he  (Miranda)  was  preparing 
for  his  expedition.  Nothing  unpleasant  passed  at  that  in- 
terview ;  on  the  contrary,  I  was  greatly  pleased  with  his  so- 
cial talents  and  colloquial  eloquence.  It  is  true,  however, 
that  I  did,  from  private  considerations,  studiously  avoid  any- 
thing which  might  afford  him  an  occasion  to  disclose  his 
views.  The  bare  suspicion  of  any  connexion  between  him 
and  me  would  have  been  injurious  to  my  project  and  fatal  to 
his ;  a  circumstance  of  which  he  must  have  been  ignorant. 
He  afterward  complained  to  his  friend  of  my  coldness  and 
reserve,  and  he  had  reason ;  but  I  did  not  dare  to  explain, 
not  having  sufficient  assurance  of  his  discretion.  As,  how- 
ever, there  never  has  been,  nor,  in  any  probability,  ever  can 
be  the  smallest  collision,  political  or  other,  between  us,  I  did 
not  suppose  that  any  sentiment  approaching  to  enmity  ex- 
isted on  his  part ;  none  certainly  on  mine. 


OF    AARON    BURR.  255 

I  heard  with  great  pleasure  of  his  return  to  his  native 
country,  and  of  the  consideration  in  which  he  is  held.  My 
heart  and  feelings  are,  as  you  know,  wholly  and  warmly  with 
the  patriots  of  Venezuela.  His  advent  is,  unquestionably,  a 
very  great  boon  to  them.  His  experience  in  political  and 
military  life,  and  his  literary  acquirements,  justly  entitle  him 
to  pre-eminence  among  his  countrymen.  But  that  part  of 
Miranda's  character  which  constitutes  his  greatest  eulogy  is 
the  purity  of  his  political  creed,  and  the  constancy  and  con- 
sistency with  which  he  has  persevered  in  it.  On  this  head 
he  has  shown  no  caprice,  no  backsliding,  that  I  ever  heard ; 
and  I  have  entire  confidence  that,  so  far  forth  as  his  influence 
may  prevail,  the  government  about  to  be  established  in  Ven- 
ezuela will  afford  as  much  liberty  as  is  consistent  with  secu- 
rity and  good  order. 

With  these  sentiments,  you  may  be  assured  of  my  dispo 
sition  to  contribute,  if  it  should  happen  to  be  in  my  power, 
to  the  success  of  Miranda  and  his  patriot  countrymen.  There 
is  a  possibility,  perhaps  something  more,  that  I  may  mingle, 
personally,  in  the  affairs  of  Spanish  America.  In  such  case, 
a  good  understanding  would  be  of  sound  policy,  perhaps  of 
mutual  necessity.  It  is  also  probable  that  I  may  be  capable 
of  rendering  him  or  his  countrymen  service  in  the  United 
States,  whither  I  am  now  about  to  return,  and  certainly  I 
should  do  it  with  pleasure  and  with  zeal. 

Farther,  were  it  even  true  that  my  mind  had  been  im- 
pressed with  sentiments  unfriendly  to  Miranda,  not  only 
would  the  wishes  you  express  have  influenced  my  conduct, 
but  any  prejudices  I  could  have  imbibed  would  have  been 
honestly  and  cheerfully  sacrificed  to  your  judgment,  form- 
ed on  so  much  better  opportunities. 

A.  BURR. 


256  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 


TO    MISS    C- 


Londor.  November  8,  1811. 

As  I  never  hear  from  you  the  things  I  expect,  so  I  never 
say  those  I  intend.  When  we  met  last  evening  (at  least  the 
instant  before),  my  head  and  my  heart  were  full  of  regrets 
that  your  amiable  little  note  had  not  been  sooner  received. 
My  prompt  obedience  would  have  testified  how  greatly  I  was 
flattered  by  the  honour  of  your  commands. 

Being  much  out  of  humour  with  the  three  days'  banish- 
ment which  you  have  so  barbarously  inflicted,  it  has  occurred 
to  me  to  propose  a  mitigation  of  the  sentence,  by  tendering 
my  services  on  the  occasion  of  your  approaching  dimenage- 
ment.  I  am  wonderfully  adroit  on  such  occasions.  A  line 
from  you  will  command  my  attention  at  any  hour  of  day  or 
night.  A.  BURR. 

TO  MISS  c . 

London,  November  10, 1810. 

Your  two  notes,  my  dear  friend,  are  just  now  received. 
(10  o'clock,  Thursday  evening).  Though  evidently  written 
on  different  days,  for,  a  la  femme,  both  are  without  date,  yet 
they  come  together. 

You  are  to  dine  with  the  G.'s  to-morrow  ;  unfortunately, 
I  am  otherwise  engaged  for  dinner,  but  will  be  with  you 
there  about  nine.  Lest,  however,  you  may  wish  to  say 
something  of  the  project  before  that  hour,  I  will  call  on  you 
between  twelve  and  one  to-morrow.  Having  engaged  a 
gentleman  to  breakfast  with  me,  it  will  be  impossible  to  see 
you  earlier.  Pardon  this  tardiness.  A.  BURR. 

FROM    JAMES    BRIGGS. 

London,  November  18, 1811 

I  had  the  pleasure  of  reading  your  note  this  evening  a 
few  minutes  after  it  was  written,  and  lament  that  I  could 
not  call  at  the  exact  time  which  I  had  appointed.  But  I 


OF  AARON  BURR.  257 

regret  still  more  that  you  are  precluded  from  the  hope  of 
embarking  in  the  same  vessel  with  me  by  the  earliness  of 
our  departure.  Perhaps  we  may  be  detained  till  you  can 
make  the  necessary  preparations  for  the  voyage ;  if  so,  I 
hope  you  will  be  able  to  effect  all  your  purposes  in  season. 
I  shall  enjoy  peculiar  satisfaction  in  having  the  honour  of 
entertaining  you  to-morrow,  because  I  know  you  will  be 
pleased  with  the  small  company  whom  you  will  meet.  The 
house  is  private  and  the  visitors  select.  You  will  be  as 
much  at  your  ease  as  you  would  be  at  your  excellent  friend's 
in  Skinner-street,  with  this  deduction,  that  you  will  have 
less  literature. 

Your  note  gives  me  a  confidence  that  you  will  have 
formed  no  engagement  that  can  interfere  with  my  desire  to 
have  the  pleasure  of  your  society  at  my  own  lodgings,  and 
I  am  sure  Captain  Jewett  will  feel  extremely  disappointed 
if  you  do  not  do  us  the  favour  of  accepting  our  united  invi- 
tation. 

I  was  highly  pleased  with  my  entertainment  yesterday ; 
and  shall  always  feel  obliged  to  you  for  affording  me  an  op- 
portunity of  being  known  to  persons  so  distinguished  and  so 
worthy  as  those  to  whom  you  kindly  introduced  me.  Mrs. 
Godwin  is  a  charming  lady.  Mr.  Godwin  is  entitled  to 
every  man's  praise,  and  Miss  Curran  has  many  amiable  and 
interesting  qualities.  There  was  a  pleasure  in  contempla- 
ting the  daughter  of  Mary  Wolstoncraft.  In  short,  I  re- 
tired from  their  company  well  pleased  with  them,  and  sorry 
to  part  so  soon.  JAMES  BRIGGS. 

FROM    MRS.  JUDGE    THORP. 

London,  November  23,  1811. 

I  feel  much  obliged  by  your  attention,  and  shall  be  ex- 
tremely happy  to  see  you  and  your  friends  at  five  to-morrow. 
My  house  being  small,  I  am  confident  you  will  excuse,  other- 
wise I  would  not  have  attempted  to  ask  you,  en  famille, 
during  the  absence  of  its  master.  I  did  not  receive  your 
note  till  this  moment. 


258  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

When  you  speak  of  savages,  you  forget  I  have  been  in 
America,  and  know  the  fallacy  of  that  idea.  Neither  my 
family  nor  myself  are  afraid  ;  therefore  I  shall  expect  Cap- 
tain Jewett,  Mr.  Briggs,  and  yourself  to-morrow. 

S.  THORPE. 

TO    JAMES    BRIGGS. 

London,  December  1, 1811. 

Your  letter  of  the  28th  is  received.  The  overture  of  Cap 
tain  Jewett  and  yourself  is  most  inviting,  and  congenial  with 
my  wishes.  If  I  should  not  adopt  it,  the  fates  only  are  to 
blame.  Circumstances,  however,  which  cannot  be  in  this 
way  communicated,  incline  me  to  believe  that,  by  remaining 
here  a  short  time,  and  then  passing  to  the  United  States,  I 
may  better  promote  the  common  object.  Nevertheless,  if 
my  baggage  were  now  here,  and  one  other  trifling  embar 
rassment  removed,  I  would  be  with  you  to-morrow.  In 
either  case,  I  project  to  see  you  before  your  departure,  to 
concert  modes  of  communication  for  future  interview.  There 
being  no  mail  to-morrow,  this  note  is  written  to  apprize  you 
both  of  my  devotion  to  the  subjects  of  which  we  have  con- 
versed, and  to  assure  you  of  my  faith  and  attachment.  Keep 
me  advised  of  your  prospects  of  sailing,  as  a  mere  trifle  may 
determine  me  to  visit  my  friend  the  chief  justice. 

A.  BURR. 

FROM    LORD   BALGRAY. 

Edinburgh,  December  14, 1811. 

With  great  pleasure  I  received  yours  of  the  10th,  and  I 
am  happy  that  you  are  once  more  in  old  England.  I  am 
glad  that  certain  persons  have  behaved  like  gentlemen  at 
last. 

At  present  I  think  that  you  might  be  of  considerable  use, 
provided  you  otherwise  feel  yourself  at  liberty  to  take  any 
step  of  the  kind.  I  trust  that  you  have  seen  General  Alex- 
ander Hope.  Have  you  been  introduced  to  the  present  Lore1 


OF    AARON    BURR.  259 

Melville  ?  I  can  assure  you  that  he  has  more  solid  judg- 
ment than  his  father,  though  not  the  same  bold,  and  intrepid, 
and  dashing  spirit  which,  in  the  affairs  of  this  world,  impose 
upon  common  minds.  He  is,  like  his  father,  a  man  of  the 
highest  honour,  in  whom  you  may  place  the  most  implicit 
confidence. 

What  can  your  government  mean  ?  Do  your  governors 
really  think  that  they  are  acting  either  for  the  glory  or  the 
interest  of  their  country  ?  Did  they  at  this  moment  cordially 
unite  with  Great  Britain,  they  had  the  command  of  the  whole 
world,  except  Europe.  How  useful  they  could  be  in  the 
South  American  affairs. 

Is  it  really  probable  that  the  inhabitants  of  North  Amer- 
ica believe  that  the  inhabitants  of  Great  Britain  are  inimical 
to  them  ?  I  trust  that  your  knowledge  of  all  quarters  of 
the  island  will  enable  you  to  assert  that  we  entertain  no  such 
illiberal  notions.  I  hope,  also,  that  you  have  seen  that,  bar- 
ring a  little  court  intrigue  among  a  few  individuals  about 
places,  there  is  great  stock  of  national  honour  and  integrity, 
which,  when  necessary,  will  always  show  itself. 

Since  you  have  been  here  Ann*  is  married  to  an  Ayrshire 
gentleman  (M.  Snodgrass  Buchannan),  a  young  man ;  an 
honorary  lawyer ;  of  good  family,  and  of  very  considerable 
fortune.  Besides  the  family  estate  to  which  he  succeeds, 
an  aunt  left  him  £40,000.  It  was  a  marriage  with  all  our 
approbation.  Alexander  is  still  here,  getting  on  tolerably 
well.  A  very  fine  young  man.  But,  alas !  which  could  not 
have  escaped  your  attention,  the  mind  of  his  father  is  gone. 

Of  all  the  things  which  ever  happened  to  me  in  this  world, 
nothing  has  given  me  more  lasting  or  inconceivable  distress 
than  the  departure  of  our  friend,  particularly  at  the  time  it 
happened.  When  he  was  bringing  to  maturity  all  his 
schemes,  and  when  the  government  were  coming  into  his 
plans  with  sincerity  and  eagerness. 

Your  friend,  the  Justice  Clerk,  is  now  lord  president  of  the 

*  Ann  Williamson,  daughter  of  Col.  Charles  Williamson. 


260  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

College  of  Justice.  This  day  I  showed  to  his  lordship  your 
letter,  and  he  was  rejoiced,  and  begs  his  best  respects.  Do 
write  him.  He  has  more  to  say  with  Lord  Moira  than  any 
man  in  Scotland.  Remember,  Moira  is  the  prince's  osten- 
sible friend. 

Lately,  the  Prince  Regent,  very  much  against  my  own 
inclination,  has  made  me  a  Lord  of  Sessions  in  Scotland. 
According  to  the  custom  and  fashion  here,  I  have  taken  the 
litle  of  "  Lord  Balgray"  Let  me  hear  from  you. 

DAVID  WILLIAMSON. 

FROM  WILLIAM  ARBIJTHNOT. 

Edinburgh,  December  17,  1811. 

As  I  did  not  know  of  your  having  arrived  in  this  country, 
I  was  certainly  somewhat  surprised,  but,  at  the  same  time, 
infinitely  gratified,  when  I  received  your  obliging  letter.  I 
well  remember  the  one  you  wrote  to  me  previous  to  your 
embarking  for  Sweden  ;  but  I  shall  not  at  present  express 
what  my  feelings  were  upon  knowing  the  manner  in  which 
you  left  England  at  that  time.  All  that  is  now,  I  trust,  at 
an  end ;  and  permit  me  to  say,  that  in  whatever  country  it 
may  be  your  fate  to  reside  in  future,  you  shall  always  have 
my  best  wishes  for  your  health  and  happiness. 

Our  good  friend,  Mr.  Bartlett,  has,  I  find,  made  you  ac- 
quainted with  the  state  of  my  family  and  of  my  seven  sons. 
As  I  have  it  not  in  my  power  to  serve  my  country  in  any 
public  capacity,  I  have  done  all  that  I  can,  as  a  private  citi- 
zen, to  keep  up  the  male  population  of  the  country  ;  a  mat- 
ter of  no  small  importance  in  times  like  the  present,  when 
we  are  engaged  in  a  war  to  which  we  can  see  no  probable 
termination.  You  would  take  me  for  one  of  the  old  patri- 
archs were  you  to  see  me  surrounded  by  my  seven  sons. 
They  are  a  heavy  charge,  and  I  cannot  help  sometimes  feel- 
ing anxious  about  their  future  progress  in  the  world  ;  but  I 
trust  they  shall  all  make  their  way  in  some  shape  or  other. 
I  shall  do  my  part  for  them  by  giving  them  a  good  educa- 


OF    AARON    BURR.  261 

lion.     I  have  the  satisfaction  to  say  that  all  of  them,  as  well 
as  their  mother,  are  at  present  in  perfect  health. 

My  mother,  who  is  much  obliged  by  your  kind  remem- 
brance of  her,  together  with  my  sister,  beg  to  make  offer  of 
their  best  respects.  Mrs.  A.  unites  with  me  in  every  good 
wish.  When  your  future  destination  is  decided  on,  I  shall 
take  it  kind  if  you  will  write  and  let  me  hear  from  you. 

WILLIAM  ARBUTHNOT. 

JOURNAL. 

London,  January  1,  1812.  The  strong  coffee  which  I 
drank  at  Hammond's  kept  me  awake  till  five.  Rose  at 
seven.  Copied  my  letter  to  Bassano.  Was  going  to  friend 
Allen's,  but,  just  as  I  set  off,  recollected  that  I  had  not  the 
money  to  pay  him  for  a  small  article  which  I  had  ordered ; 
had  but  eighteenpence.  Called  on  the  Godwins  and  sat 
half  an  hour.  Home,  and  then  to  A.'s ;  out.  To  Jul.'s,  of 
whom  borrowed  twenty  shillings.  Gave  six  shillings  for 
Newyear's,  and  six  shillings  for  a  bottle  of  wine  to  celebrate 
J.'s  birthday  (this  day).  She  has  a  sister  and  a  brother,  all 
three  born  on  the  first  of  January.  Paid  three  shillings  for 
fruit.  Promenade  with  Jul.  to  see  a  girl,  said  to  be  fifteen 
years  old  ;  is  thirty-three  inches  high  ;  does  not  appear  to 
be  more  than  eight  years.  Is  an  idiot,  or  very  near.  Then 
to  see  and  hear  the  Panharmonicon.  Were  too  late  or  too 
early.  Home  with  Jul.  at  five,  and  dined  with  her  and  her 
sister,  he,  Mari,  being  abroad.  We  amused  ourselves  very 
well.  At  eight  to  Bentham's,  where  an  hour,  and  then 
home. 

And  now,  past  twelve,  am  not  sleepy.  The  weather  has 
moderated.  Am  sitting  before  a  great  fire.  Guess  what  I 
am  doing.  No — no — no — Gampillo  will  guess  in  a  minute. 
Yes  ;  why,  you  simpleton,  what  could  I  be  doing  but  writing 
to  you  ? 

2.  D.  M.  Randolph  came  at  ten,  but  I  dismissed  him. 
Then  came,  extremely  mal-a-propos,  Castella,  who  was  also 


262  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

dismissed.  Then  the  devil  sent  the  officious  old  Scotch- 
man *****.  At  twelve  took  passage  in  the  coach  for  Chel- 
sea. D.  M.  R.  walked  and  got  there  as  soon ;  a  return  of 
my  old  sprain  preventing  my  pedestrating.  Saw  Brunell  at 
his  mill,  a  most  beautiful  and  curious  mechanism,  but  I  fear 
will  not  quit  cost.  Then  we  examined  the  shoe  machine 
and  saw  shoes  made.  The  woman,  not  before  a  shoemaker, 
made  a  shoe  in  eleven  minutes,  and  better  than  could  be 
made  by  hand ;  and,  with  the  same  machinery,  you  could 
make  one  in  the  same  time.  Took  lunch  at  the  inn,  fifteen- 
pence.  My  principal  motive  to  this  visit  was,  as  you  have 
been  told,  to  talk  of  the  vinegar  project  and  get  it  in  operation. 
Brunell,  who  at  first  was  enchanted  with  it,  and  all  impa- 
tience to  put  it  in  operation,  is  now  quite  off.  Returned  in 
the  coach.  Home  at  four.  About  six,  feeling  a  very  lively 
disposition  for  dinner,  walked  over  (two  miles)  to  my  beer- 
house ;  mutton-chop  and  potatoes,  one  shilling  and  sixpence. 
Having  the  room  to  myself,  stayed  till  eight  reading  news- 
papers. Passed  an  hour  at  Graves's,  and  examined  his  little 
steam-engine,  which  they  had  just  got  in  operation  on  the 
parlour  table.  Home  at  half  past  nine,  and,  to  my  great 
astonishment  and  joy,  met  our  young  runaway,  Leith.  His 
story  is  too  long  to  write,  it  shall  be  told.  Counted  over  my 
cash,  and  have  five  shillings  and  threepence. 

3.  After  leaving  you  last  evening,  read  a  whole  volume  of 
Miss  Owenson's  "  Ida  of  Athens."  Had  invited  D.  M.  R. 
to  breakfast.  While  at  breakfast  came  in  a  letter  from  the 
landlord,  notifying  that  he  should  call  to-morrow  morning  to 
take  possession  of  his  house,  and  that  we  must  quit.  This 
threw  us  into  great  confusion  ;  though  I  had  resolved  to 
leave  the  house  at  the  end  of  the  first,  and  at  the  end  of  every 
successive  week  since  I  came  into  it,  and  always  immedi- 
ately, and  for  very  cogent  reasons,  fearing  a  cap.  ad.  res- 
Yet  was  I  not  provided  with  other  lodgings,  but  worse. 
M.  B.  H.  owes  the  landlord  about  twenty  pounds,  without 
means  of  paying;  and  I  owe  M.  B.  H.  about  five  pounds. 


OF    AARON    BURR.  263 

Walked  with  D.  M.  R.  to  see  a  famous  manufactory  (on  the 
Surry  side)  of  every  machine,  from  a  mathematical  instru- 
ment to  a  steam-engine  ;  all  moved  by  steam.  By  these 
different  inspections  have  got  a  new  idea  about  my  boat, 
which  pleases  me  much,  and  which,  perhaps,  is  worth  no- 
thing. Hastened  home  to  see  what  M.  B.  H.  might  intend 
to  do  for  to-morrow.  With  her  usual  promptitude,  she  was 
out  looking  for  other  quarters  for  self ;  so  that  the  family  will 
separate.  Took  lunch  with  D.  M.  R.  at  my  room  ;  eight- 
pence  for  a  pot  of  ale ;  lent  the  old  Scotchman  three  shil- 
lings. At  five  went  to  see  our  landlord,  and  he  agreed  to 
let  us  remain  four  or  five  days.  Called  on  A.,  where  an 
hour.  She  dined  yesterday  again  at  J.  B.'s.  On  my  way 
home  discovered  that  I  must  dine.  I  find  my  appetite  in 
the  inverse  ratio  to  my  purse ;  and  I  now  conceive  why  the 
poor  eat  so  much  when  they  can  get  it.  Considering  the 
state  of  my  finances,  resolved  to  lay  out  the  whole  instantly 
in  necessaries,  lest  some  folly  or  some  beggar  should  rob  me 
of  a  shilling.  Bought,  viz.,  half  a  pound  of  beef,  eightpence ; 
a  quarter  of  a  pound  of  ham,  sixpence  ;  one  pound  of  brown 
sugar,  eightpence ;  two  pounds  of  bread,  eightpence ;  ten 
pounds  of  potatoes,  fivepence  ;  having  left  elevenpence,  treat- 
ed myself  to  a  pot  of  ale,  eightpence ;  and  now,  with  three- 
pence in  my  purse,  have  read  the  second  volume  of  Ida. 
Talked  an  hour  with  Leith,  and  agreed  to  negotiate  for  him 
with  his  uncle ;  and  write  you  this  at  half  past  one  in  the 
morning.  My  beef  was  boiled — so  bought,  I  mean,  and  I 
cooked  my  potatoes  in  my  room.  Made  a  great  dinner.  Ate 
at  least  one  half  of  my  beef.  Of  two  great  necessaries,  cof- 
fee and  tobacco,  I  have  at  least  a  week's  allowance  ;  so  that, 
without  a  penny,  I  can  keep  the  animal  machine  agoing  for 
eight  days. 

4.  Of  five  pieces  of  cambric  which  I  bought  for  you  in 
Flanders,  and  should  have  presented  you  if  our  voyage  had 
not  been  interrupted,  four  have  already  been  sold  and  man- 

g6'd  ;  the  fifth,  the  last,  and  the  most  beautiful,  was  handed 
VOL.  II.  17 


264  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

yesterday  to  D.  M.  R.  to  sell,  and  I  am  now,  this  morning, 
waiting  at  home  his  return.  In  the  mean  time,  I  have  been 
rummaging  among  Gampillo's  treasures  to  see  what  might 
be  found  which  may  be  convertible  into  money.  Found, 
and  have  taken  possession  of,  a  Napoleon,  and  a  Dutch 
ducat  of  King  Louis  ;  both  new  and  brilliant.  If  D.  M.  R. 
does  not  come  before  twelve,  they  must  go.  Poor  dear 
souls !  if  I  should  remain  here  six  weeks  longer,  you  will 
neither  of  you  have  a  single  evidence  that  you  were  thought 
of  in  any  of  the  countries  in  which  I  have  been. 

14.  At  nine  commenced  packing  up.  Sent  off  to  Jer. 
Bentham,  for  safe  keeping,  all  except  one  trunk.  Cambric 
sold  for  £10  10s.  6d.,  exactly  the  amount  due  M.  B.  H.  So 
am  to  begin  the  world  sans  sous.  To  Graves's  at  three. 
The  baggage  arrived,  and  the  books  all  seized ;  the  trunks 
and  boxes  broken  open,  without  notice  to  me,  or  even  de- 
manding the  keys.  The  books  seized  as  foreign  books 
which  have  not  paid  duty.  To  Godwin's,  where  remained 
till  ten.  He  related  many  curious  particulars  respecting 
himself. 

18.  Couche  at  one.  Was  again  so  long  occupied  with 
that  cursed  letter,  which  may  do  harm  and  may  do  good  ; 
don't  like  such  letters ;  can  you  conceive  that  I  have  been 
two  whole  nights  and  one  whole  forenoon  making  a  letter 
of  one  sheet  ?  But  you  will  see  the  reason  when  you  pe- 
ruse it. 

At  seven  made  my  fire,  no  one  being  up  in  the  house. 
Wrote  till  two.  To  J.  S.,  and  there  near  an  hour.  Pro- 
posed that  he  should  advance  £40  on  the  books  to  clear 
them  ;  he  declared  it  to  be  out  of  his  power  to  advance  one 
shilling.  To  Graves's ;  he  was  at  dinner.  Waited  in  the 
office  till  he  came  down.  Was  asked  up.  The  Seltzer 
not  sold ;  changed  with  him  four  of  Gampillo's  French 
francs  for  four  shillings.  Mem. — Owed  two  shillings  for  a 
washing  bill  brought  in  this  morning.  By  Black  Friars' 
and  Westminster  Bridges  to  J.  B.'s,  where  dined  and  passed 


OF    AARON    BURR.  265 

the  evening.  Intended  to  have  consulted  him  about  my 
letter ;  but,  somehow,  things  did  not  go  right.  Home  at 
ten,  and  took  my  coffee. 

19.  Up  till  near  three,  overhauling  all  my  papers,  to  hunt 
for  an  account  which  did  not  find.     So  must  pay  it  again, 
though  remember  perfectly  the  payment  and  receipt.     Sor. 
at  twelve  to  J.  H. ;  but  Contesse,  who  was  to  do  a  job  for 
me,  was  gone.     To  J.  Hug.,  where  an  hour.     To  Godwin's 
to  dinner;  stayed  till  half  past  nine.     Met  the  family,  and 
little  Martha  Hopson,  musician,  sister  of  Han.  the  painter; 
16  and  13  ;  daughters  of  a  coachman.     Home  to  read  Ham- 
let travestied,  by  John  Poole,  Esq.,  and  have  read  it  through. 
It  is  naught;  but  the  notes  in  ridicule  of  modern  comedians 
are  very  well.     Got  to-day  of  J.  Hug.  your  picture-watch, 
and  wrote  to  Capt.  Johnson  to  pawn  it ;  but  he  would  not. 
Shall  try  to  sell   some  cambric  handkerchiefs  to-morrow. 
For  the  last  ten  days  scarcely  a  frost ;  little  rain,  chilly, 
foggy.     Though  in  my  paper-hunting  I  did  not  find  what  I 
sought,  yet  found  your  last  four  letters,  which  have  read 
over  again  with  increased  admiration  of  the  author.     They 
stimulate  me  to  new  exertions  to  get  to  the  United  States. 
But  what  now  can  I  do,  and  what  prospect  is  there  of  my 
ever  getting  out — sans  sous  ? 

20.  At  seven  made  my  fire.     Sor.  at  ten.     To  J.  Sm. ; 
he  had  not  yet  seen  Hipkins,  the  captain  of  a  vessel  about 
to  sail  to  Norfolk,  of  whom  I  have  heard  a  good  account. 
To  Gra.     Nothing  done  about  the  Seltzer  water  nor  the 
vinegar.     He  went  with  me  to  the  custom-house,  but  the 
commissioners  do  not  sit  on  Monday,  nor  does  the  solicitor 
attend.     So  nothing  to  be  done.     Went  back  with  G.,  not 
knowing  whither.     Strolled  along  past  St.  Paul's,  and  called 
at  Godwin's,  where  got  my  seven  shilling  piece  changed ; 
besides  this,  had  one  shilling  and  fourpence,  and  my  rent, 
due  on  Wednesday,  is  eight  shillings.     Called  on  Captain 
Johnson ;  he  still  hesitates  ;  did  not  press  it.     Another  stroll ; 
and,  recollecting  that  Gampillo  had  got  some  of  those  new 


266  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

francs,  determined  to  rob  him  of  three  or  four  more,  which 
will  keep  the  animal  machine  agoing  for  as  many  days. 
Home  at  two.  Sent  Eliz.  for  half  a  pound  of  beef,  eight- 
pence  ;  pot  of  porter,  eightpence ;  moutarde  and  pot,  five- 
pence  ;  in  all,  one  shilling  and  ninepence.  Have  already  two 
pounds  of  bread,  which  will  last  me  three  days.  But,  alas  ! 
my  coffee  and  sugar  are  both  out,  and  then  the  rent,  eight 
shillings  per  week,  is  due,  and  must  be  paid  on  Wednesday 
morning,  or  Gam.  goes  into  the  street.  I  have  made  a  great 
fire,  and  am  occupied  in  finishing  that  letter  to  Lord  B. 
which  has  given  me  so  much  plague. 

21.  Made  my  fire.  Fortunately,  the  weather  is  not  very 
cold.  Got  my  breakfast,  and  sallied  forth  with  two  cambric 
handkerchiefs  to  sell  and  your  picture-watch  to  pawn,  for 
argent  must  be  had  to-day.  Got  to  D.  M.  R.'s,  about  one 
and  a  quarter  miles  off,  before  he  was  up.  Charged  him 
with  my  commission,  and  agreed  to  meet  him  at  Graves's 
at  four.  Thence  to  go  to  dine  together  at  our  little  eating- 
shop  in  case  he  should  get  money  to  pay  the  scot.  To 
Graves's,  and  with  him  to  the  custom-house,  where,  after 
waiting  an  hour,  saw  Mr.  C.,  but  no  answer  had  been  re- 
ceived from  Yarmouth.  Thence  back  to  G.'s,  where  began 
to  copy  my  letter  to  Lord  B.  G.  asked  me  to  dine,  which 
refused  ;  resolved  to  eat  or  fast  with  D.  M.  R.,  who,  by-the- 
by,  has  two  shillings.  He  came  in  at  four,  but  had  not  been 
able  to  get  a  sous ;  agreed,  nevertheless,  to  dine  at  our 
eating-house,  having  between  us  money  enough  to  pay  ;  for 
I  had  yet  four  shillings,  and  I  had  prudently  put  in  my  pock- 
et some  of  Gampillo's  coins  to  sell  to  G.,  who  loves  such 
things,  in  the  last  resort.  D.  M.  R.  went  off  to  the  exchange 
close  by  to  gather  news.  I  to  order  fire  and  dinner,  and 
smoke  my  pipe.  In  half  an  hour  D.  M.  R.  came  in,  and 
threw  on  the  table  five  one-pound  notes.  He  had  met  a 
friend  who  had  advanced  him  that  sum,  and  he  paid  me  forty 
shillings  which  I  had  lent  him  some  time  ago,  but  had  quite 
forgotten.  We  dined  in  peace,  and  I  came  home  at  seven 


OF    AARON    BURR.  267 

and  made  a  good  fire.  My  letter  to  Lord  B.  is  undergo- 
ing another  copy,  and,  being  six  pages,  will  not  be  finished 
to-night.  Bon  soir. 

Want  exceedingly  to  go  to  Dartford  (sixteen  miles),  on 
something  about  my  vinegar  invention,  which  may  be  profit- 
able, but  can't  get  argent  enough  for  that  expedition.  How, 
then,  am  I  to  get  to  the  United  States  ? 

22.  At  ten  to  J.  S.,  who  had  no  news  for  me.  To  Graves. 
No  letter  from  Yarmouth.  To  Q.  S.  P.,  to  pay  Mrs.  S. 
six  shillings  which  she  had  paid  for  the  cartage  of  my 
things.  You  see  by  your  map  that  this  is  a  full  league 
from  Graves's.  Forgot  to  say  that  I  called  first  on  friend 
Allen,  who  had  not  yet  been  able  to  make  the  solution  which 
he  had  promised  ;  was  glad  of  it,  for  there  might  have  been 
a  guinea  to  pay.  At  Q.  S.  P.,  which,  you  know,  is  J.  Ben- 
tham's  ;  paid  Mrs.  S.,  and  pillaged  you  of  three  pairs  of 
beautiful  stockings,  which  I  intended  to  give  to  the  three 
Godwins.  I  have  never  given  them  anything,  and  they  all 
love  me  so  ;  and  this  night  they  all  go  to  a  great  ball.  As 
they  were  to  be  given  in  your  name,  and  you  will  have  three 
pairs  left,  I  thought  you  would  consent.  So  went  to  God- 
win's with  the  three  pairs  of  stockings  nicely  rolled  up. 
Went  directly  up  stairs  where  the  children  set ;  but  F.  was 
not  there.  Waited  a  few  minutes,  but  she  came  not ;  then 
came  in  madame ;  all  hard  at  work.  Somehow  the  occa- 
sion did  not  suit,  and  I  came  off  with  the  three  pairs  of  stock- 
ings in  my  pocket.  How  ridiculous !  J.  Bentham  had 
asked  me  to  dine,  which  refused ;  but,  while  there,  we  had  a 
great  dispute  about  the  affair  of  Sodom  and  Gomorrah,  and 
the  cause  for  which  they  were  burned ;  the  particulars  of 
which  I  will  relate,  but  can't  now  write.  There  being  no 
Bible  at  hand  to  settle  the  question,  we  parted,  each  with 
his  own  opinion.  At  Godwin's  I  consulted  him,  who,  you 
know,  or,  perhaps,  do  not  know,  was  bred  a  priest.  He 
turned  to  the  passage,  and,  really,  there  is  ground  for  the 
strange  opinion  of  J.  B.  On  my  way  home  bought  one 


268  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

pound  of  sugar,  half  a  pound  of  coffee,  and  two  nutmegs ; 
in  all,  two  shillings.  They  always  attempt  to  cheat  you  a 
few  pence  in  the  change  ;  but  I  have  got  too  sharp  for  them. 
Home  at  three.  El.  cooked  rny  potatoes  very  nicely,  and, 
with  the  beef  and  a  pint  of  ale,  made  a  sumptuous  dinner. 
At  seven  to  Godwin's,  to  see  the  three  lasses  dressed  for 
the  ball ;  they  were  extremely  neat,  and  with  taste.  Home 
at  ten:  Paid  my  bill  to  ma  hostesse,  eight  shillings,  and 
gave  little  Eliz.  an  eighteen-penny  piece,  which  appeared  to 
put  her  in  an  ecstasy  of  joy. 

23.  This  morning  ma  hostesse,  for  the  first  time,  made  my 
fire  at  seven.  While  I  was  breakfasting,  received  by  the 
post  a  note  from  D.  M.  R.  requesting  me  to  call  on  him  at 
twelve ;  that  he  wanted  my  advice,  and  could  not  go  out. 
Fear  some  trouble.  Finished  my  letter  to  Lord  B.,  put  it  in 
my  pocket,  and  off  to  D.  M.  R.'s.  He  had  a  letter  from  Bru 
nell  about  their  projected  association  in  the  shoe  business. 
So  this  is  good  and  not  harm.  To  J.  Reeves's,  there  being 
new  and  rigorous  orders  about  aliens,  and  I  having  no  paper 
or  certificate  to  entitle  me  to  reside  here.  He  said  I  wanted 
none,  being  an  exception  to  all  rules.  Told  him  my  name 
was  Arnot,  to  which  he  assented.  At  my  request,  he  gave 
a  sort  of  passport  to  go  to  Dartford,  to  see  the  manufacture 
of  charcoal,  which  is  connected  with  my  vinegar  project. 
Then  to  J.  B.'s  to  read  in  manuscript  a  work  he  is  about  to 
publish  on  evidence.  But  in  came  Peter  Irving,  who  ap- 
peared extremely  glad  to  see  me,  and  sat,  talking  of  New- 
York,  till  five,  but  offered  me  no  aid.  Dinner  and  coffee 
with  J.  B.  On  the  way  home  called  at  Godwin's  to  talk  over 
the  ball.  Home  at  ten,  and  found  fire  ready  made,  as  I  had 
ordered ;  and  have  written  you  this  evening  the  last  six  pa- 
ges, having  written  nothing  before  since  Monday.  Now  one 
o'clock. 

But,  before  saying  good-night,  must  tell  you  the  news.  We 
have  this  day  received  the  war  resolutions  of  Congress,  and 
Mr.  Porter's  war  speech,  which  makes  great  stir  here.  Now, 


OF    AARON    BURR.  269 

yf  there  be  war,  it  is  most  certain  that  I  shall  be  kept  here 
during  the  war.  Will  go  to-morrow,  and  try  to  sell  every- 
thing I  have ;  your  books,  and  stockings,  and  even  ribands 
and  all ;  all  Gampillo's  coins  and  medals.  No,  I  will  keep 
one  of  Charles  XII.  when  a  boy.  I  will  walk  to  any  port 
in  the  kingdom.  But,  then,  fifty  guineas  for  passage-money  ! 

24.  Fire  was  made  at  seven ;  but  Gamp,  was  so  warm 
and  comfortable  in  bed,  and  it  was  so  cold,  that  he  had  not 
the  courage  to  get  up  till  nine. 

Sor.  at  twelve  to  J.  S.  about  finances,  but  no  prospect. 
To  Graves's.  No  answer  from  Yarmouth.  To  Castella's. 
Home.  There  has  come  an  answer  from  Yarmouth;  but 
Mr.  Cooper,  the  solicitor,  not  being  there,  could  not  see  it 
nor  learn  its  purport,  though  waited  there  an  hour  and  a  half, 
standing  in  the  common  room.  To  Graves's;  nothing  of 
the  Seltzer  water.  He  asked  me  to  dine,  but  was  engaged 
with  D.  M.  R.  At  four  to  our  eating-house,  where  dined 
and  stayed  till  seven ;  paid  two  shillings  each.  To  G.'s 

again,  to  meet  a  Mr. Clagge,  an  ingenious  man  from 

Manchester,  who  has  invented  an  improvement  in  steam-en- 
gines, of  which  I  wish  to  get  a  knowledge.  Home  at  eight. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Godwin  came  and  sat  an  hour  with  me.  Have 
had  my  coffee,  and  am  considering  what  had  best  do  with 
the  remaining  two  hours,  and  think  I  will  write  to  you  (i.  e., 
a  letter),  having  sent  you  but  one  letter  since  my  arrival  in 
England.  How  could  I  write  to  you  ?  To  be  sure,  there 
have  been  opportunities  plenty,  but  what  to  say  ;  that  I  saw 
no  prospect  of  getting  out,  and  was  living  precariously  ?  This 
would  distress  you.  To  lie  outright,  and  say  you  might 
expect  me  soon  ?  That,  also,  might  be  a  new  source  of 
solicitude.  So  I  have  left  it  to  the  newspapers. 

This  war-news  affects  me  a  good  deal.  If  there  be  war 
before  April,  every  American  ship  which  shall  sail,  even  from 
this  day,  will  be  captured.  Indeed,  my  dear  enfans,  Gamp, 
had  never  so  bad  a  prospect  of  seeing  you.  If  I  had  rino, 
could  get  out  in  twenty  ways ;  but  have  had  no  new  hope 


270  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

to-day  on  that  head.  My  best  prospect  is  the  vinegar  dis- 
covery; but  that,  too,  requires  cash.  Will  ponder  and 
smoke, 

After  an  hour,  nothing  new  has  been  projected.  Unfortu- 
nately for  cogitation,  the  last  coffee  I  bought  is  too  high 
burned  ;  and,  while  the  Godwins  were  here,  I  took  it  stronger 
than  usual,  which  I  feel  severely,  and  apprehend  insomnia ; 
which  would  be  ill-timed,  for  must  be  at  the  custom-house 
at  ten,  when  the  fate  of  the  books  will  be  decided. 

25.  Rose  at  ten.  So  did  not  get  to  G.'s,  who  was  to  go 
with  me  to  the  custom-house,  till  twelve.  Graves  was 
busy  and  could  not  go ;  so  went  alone.  Mr.  Cooper,  the 
solicitor,  behaves  like  an  angel.  He  read  me  the  answer 
from  the  custom-house  at  Yarmouth,  which  exonerates  me 
wholly.  He  then  wrote  in  my  presence,  and  read  to  me  his 
opinion,  viz.,  that  I  ought  to  have  my  books  as  part  of  my 
baggage  free  of  duty,  not  having  come  here  voluntarily,  be- 
ing only  in  transitu,  and  ought  to  be  delivered  up  to  me. 
He  told  me,  however,  that  his  opinion  was  only  advice,  and 
not  law  to  the  commissioners,  and  that  they  were  tenacious 
of  their  own  usages.  He  sent  his  opinion  in  to  the  commis- 
sioners, who  sit  under  the  same  roof,  and,  after  waiting  half 
an  hour  (during  which  time,  observe,  I  was  sitting  reading 
in  his  room,  not  standing  among  the  mob  as  yesterday),  the 
commissioners  having  sent  no  answer,  he  went  in  to  hasten 
their  decision,  and  returned  with  their  fiat  in  these  words, 
"  Let  them  be  delivered  accordingly."  Mr.  C.  would  take  no 
fee  or  compensation.  He  informed  me  that,  as  the  seizure 
was  regular,  a  small  compensation  should  be  given  to  the 
officer  who  seized  (Smith,  a  decent,  clever  fellow),  but  that 
he  (Cooper)  would  take  care  that  it  should  be  small.  Sent 
one  of  his  clerks  with  me  to  the  store  where  the  things  were, 
to  see  that  they  were  delivered ;  but,  not  being  possessed  of 
one  guinea  for  Smith,  did  not  take  them  away.  Now  as  to 
finance.  When  last  in  England,  a  gentleman,  friend  of  A. 
B.  Reeves,  but  well  established  here  in  trade,  sought  my 


OF    AARON    BURR.  271 

acquaintance,  which  at  that  time  I  declined.  On  my  return 
here  lately  he  renewed  his  overtures.  I  conceded ;  gave 
him  an  audience.  He  made  great  professions  of  friendship ; 
invited  me  to  his  house,  &c.  I  went,  and  found  him  pret- 
tily established  en  garcon ;  dined  with  him  two  or  three 
times.  He  told  me  of  his  commercial  affairs  ;  that  his 
credit  was  such  he  could  borrow  ten  thousand  guineas  any 
day ;  that  he  had  a  large  sum  in  the  United  States  which 
he  could  not  get  here,  and  which  lay  there  idle.  During 
my  insomnia  last  evening,  I  resolved  to  try  this  friend  ;  for 
something  had  occurred,  the  acquittal  of  the  ship  Vigilant, 
which  was  not  mentioned  to  you  last  evening.  She  being 
about  to  sail,  and  my  passage  there  being  paid,  it  is  my  last 
hope.  Friend  G.  went  to  this  friend  for  the  loan  of  fifty 
pounds.  I  can't  tell  you  what  it  cost  me  to  do  this ;  and, 
but  for  you  and  Gampillo,  certainly  I  never  should  have 
stooped  to  it.  He  recoiled  at  the  bare  word  loan.  He  had 
not  a  shilling  ;  puzzled  to  pay  his  servants,  and  his  baker, 
&c.,  &c.  I  then  proposed  to  take  his  bill  on  the  United 
States  for  fifty  pounds  of  that  idle  money.  At  this  he 
choked,  and  stammered,  and  hesitated.  I  smiled  at  his 
embarrassment.  He  said  he  could  not  draw  unless  for 
mercantile  purposes ;  for  goods,  &c.,  &c.  I  offered  to 
pledge  the  books,  which  one  guinea  would  now  redeem ;  but 
nothing  would  suit  him.  He  advised  me  to  draw  a  bill  my- 
self ;  he  thought  that  would  be  much  better.  "  I  do  not  want 
advice  ;  I  know  my  own  affairs  much  better  than  you  do." 

Then  went  to  Captain  J.,  to  attempt  again  to  pledge  your 
watch,  but  he  could  not  or  would  not  advance  five  pounds. 
Then  home ;  took  my  p.  d.  t.  and  bouef  froid  ;  still  the 
same  half  pound  bought  just  ten  days  ago,  and,  with  a  pot 
of  ale, -made  a  feast. 

Have  been  now  four  hours  hard  at  work  deciphering  a 
letter  from  a  very  dear  friend,  received  six  months  ago  ;  but 
so  long  that  I  have  never  before  attempted  it.  It  is  of  four 
full  large  pages,  more  compact  than  any  small  print.  Got 


272  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

through  only  five  lines,  from  which  I  discover  that  some  of 
my  letters  had  not  been  received,  and  he  advised  me  to  write 
by  the  packet.  You  see,  mes  enfans,  that  I  have  now  no  re- 
liance but  my  vinegar,  and  to  plunder  you  both  of  all  your 
remaining  bagatelles. 

26.  Something  out  of  order  by  taking  crem.  de  tart,  last 
evening ;  but  a  very  serious  calamity  unfits  me,  even  for 
writing  to  you.     A.,  on  whom  I  called  to-day  for  the  first 
time  in  three  weeks,  owing,  as  you  have  seen,  to  my  eternal 
occupation  with  little  vexations — A.  received  me  in  a  man- 
ner so  cold,  so  unfriendly,  I  came  home  sick,  and  am  now 
going  to  bed  at  eleven. 

Saw  D.  M.  R.  a  few  minutes  ;  he  lent  me  forty  shillings, 
being  four  fifths  of  all  he  had  in  the  world.  A  few  minutes 
also  at  J.  Hug.  and  at  Dessaules,  who  has  yet  done  nothing. 
Have  eaten  no  dinner  except  a  bowl  of  soup.  Bought  one 
newspaper,  and  borrowed  two  others,  and  have  been  reading 
them,  and  something  in  Political  Justice,  since  four  o'clock. 
This  affair  of  A.  is  totally  remediless  ;  but  can't  write  now. 

27.  A  day  of  great  fatigue  and  nothing  done.     Lounged 
in  bed  till  near  nine.     Am  always  the  worse  for  being  more 
than  six  hours    in  bed.     At  eleven  to  Graves's.     Nothing 
done  in   Seltzer.     Wrote  note  to  J.  B.,  intended  to  have 
been  sent  with  the  trunks  of  books.     On  to  the  custom- 
house warehouse,  to  take  possession  of  my  books,  so  long  in 
jeopardy.     An  old  gentleman,   who  seemed  the  principal, 
recognised  me,  and  told  me  I  could  take  the  trunks  and  case. 
But,  pray,  sir,  said  he,  did  I  not  understand  that  you  pro- 
posed to  reship  these  things  on  board  the  Vigilant  ?     Gam. — 
Yes,  sir;  such  is  my  intention.     Old    gentleman. — Then, 
sir,  it  is  proper  to  inform  you,  that  if  you  remove  the  articles 
from  the  king's  stores,  you  cannot  ship  them  without  sub- 
jecting the  vessel  to  the  payment  of  clearance   and  other 
charges,  as  a  ship  with  cargo,  to  which  a  vessel  sailing  in 
ballast  is  not  liable.     Gam. — And,  pray,  what  may  be  the 
amount  of  such  charges  ?    Old  gentleman. — Perhaps  two 


OF    AARON    BURR.  273 

or  three  hundred  pounds.  Gam. — And  in  case  I  leave  them 
here,  may  I  then  embark  them  without  that  inconvenience  ? 
Old  gentleman. — Certainly,  sir.  I  shall,  in  that  case,  put 
the  custom-house  seal  on  them,  and  they  will  be  embarked 
as  pait  of  your  baggage  ;  for  to  this  time  we  know  officially 
that  they  are  part  of  the  effects  with  which  you  embarked 
from  Amsterdam ;  but,  the  moment  they  are  removed,  that 
certainty  ceases. 

I  saw  the  reason  of  all  this,  but  it  was  a  deadly  blow  to 
me ;  for  some  of  the  books  I  must  sell ;  i.  e.,  Bayle  and 
Moreri,  at  least.  I  went  off  to  consult  my  friend,  Mr.  Coop- 
er, the  solicitor.  He  had  been  at  his  office  to-day.  Waited 
half  an  hour,  standing  in  the  public  room,  but  he  came  not. 
Went  thence  to  J.  Sm.'s,  whose  advice,  as  an  intelligent  mer- 
chant, I  thought  might  be  useful ;  out.  Then  posted  back 
again  to  Graves's ;  he  was  also  out.  Being  a  good  deal  fa- 
tigued, and  something  hungry,  stepped  into  our  eating-house 
(just  by  Graves's),  and  took  beef  and  a  pint  of  ale.  Thence 
to  see  Koe,  who  has  his  office  in  my  walk  Gave  him 
my  note  to  J.  B.,  and  told  him  the  story  of  the  books,  for  I 
have  promised  J.  B.  some  of  those  books.  Thence  loiter- 
ing, and  staring  at  picture  shops,  and  thinking  of  that 
cursed  A.  To  J.  Hug.'s,  to  get  her  to  put  my  thirty  franc 
watch  (the  only  one  left)  in  order.  She  discovered  .the 
malady  and  repaired  it  in  fifteen  minutes.  Sat  an  hour.  It 
is,  perhaps,  the  only  creature  in  London  who  do&e  exclu- 
sively love  Gam.  On  my  way,  passed  through  Covent  Gar- 
den, and  bought  her  one  shilling  and  sixpence  worth  of  ap- 
ples and  pears.  Then  slowly,  and  by  various  detours,  home, 
where,  at  half  past  five,  having  trotted  about  four  leagues, 
was  a  little  abbattee.  Sent  out  for  half  a  pound  mutton, 
eightpence  ;  pint  ale,  fourpence ;  one  pound  candles,  eleven- 
pence halfpenny ;  one  pound  sugar,  ninepenee  ;  pipes  and 
tobacco,  fivepence ;  two  quires  paper,  one  shilling  and  six- 
pence ;  half  quartern  loaf  of  bread,  eightpence  ;  six  pounds 
potatoes,  sixpence.  So  that  my  expenses  yesterday  and  to 


274  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

day,  exclusive  of  room-rent  and  fire,  have  been  eleven  shil- 
lings and  sixpence  ;  but  observe  that  I  have  had,  in  this  fort- 
night, only  half  a  pound  of  meat,  six  pounds  of  potatoes,  and 
four  pounds  six  ounces  of  bread. 

In  my  stroll  to-day,  seeing  St.  Paul's  open,  went  in  for  the 
first  time ;  cost  fourpence,  i.  e.,  twopence  for  a  book  and 
twopence  for  entrance.  The  book  will  describe  it  to  you. 
Called  at  the  Godwins'  this  morning  to  leave  some  news- 
papers, but  saw  no  one  but  the  clerk.  In  my  note  to  J.  B., 
told  him  the  story  of  A.  Told  it  also  to  Koe,  and  last  even- 
ing to  the  G.'s.  This  is  a  la  Fran9ois  ;  whom,  God  forbid, 
I  should  ever  imitate  them  in  anything.  What  can  have 
possessed  A.  ?  But  won't  teaze  you  with  it. 

Captain  Combes,  to  whom  I  had  written  on  Friday  last 
to  call  on  me,  did  call  on  Sunday  at  G.'s,  for  that  is  my  ad- 
dress in  this  quarter,  and  Queen's  Square  Place  in  the  other. 
He  says  that  the  expenses  will  be  upward  of  £600,  exclu- 
sive of  his  own  and  the  ship,  which  will  be  about  as  much 
more.  Thinks  he  will  sail  in  three  weeks.  This  he  told 
Graves,  as  I  was  not  at  home.  JNo  person  except  the  God- 
wins and  P.  M.  R.,  not  even  J.  B.,  know  or  suspect  that  I 
live  in  a  house  in  Clerkenwell  Close,  in  furnished  lodg- 
ings, at  eight  shillings  per  week,  and  right  opposite  the 
house  formerly  occupied  by  Oliver  Cromwell,  now  owned 
or  occupied  by  a  man  of  the  name  of  Haines,  as  I  see  en- 
graved on  the  knocker.  But  more  of  this  about  the  month 
of  May,  when  I  think  we  shall  meet  somewhere,  though 
I  have  yet  no  other  resource  but  robbing  you  and  Gampillo. 
The  clock  strikes  twelve ;  the  hour  that  ghosts  appear  and 
reasonable  folks  go  to  bed.  Must  first  smoke  half  an  hour. 

28.  Got  breakfast,  and  was  at  D.  M.  R.'s  at  half  past  nine. 
Sat  in  the  coffee-room  reading  newspapers  till  he  had  break- 
fasted, and  then  we  walked  together  to  Chelsea,  about  five 
and  a  half  miles  from  my  quarters.  Spent  three  hours  in 
examining  the  sawmill  and  the  shoe  machine.  This  latter 
he  is  continually  improving.  He  thinks  he  will  very  soon 


OF    AARON    BURR.  275 

make  a  shoe  in  five  minutes.  And  I  believe  he  will,  and 
better  than  they  can  be  made  by  hand.  It  is  a  beautiful  in- 
vention. The  basis  of  it  was  discovered  by  our  shoemakers 
in  Philadelphia.  Brunell's  improvement  does  by  machinery 
what  Bedford's  does  by  hand. 

The  sawmill  was  contemplated  with  increased  admira- 
tion, more  for  the  wonderful  accuracy  of  its  movements 
than  from  any  great  exertion  of  inventive  genius.  The 
larger  saw  (wheel)  is  eighteen  feet  in  diameter.  It  was 
cutting  a  log  five  feet  thick.  I  measured  the  thickness,  and 
there  were  fifteen  to  an  inch,  including  the  waste  of  the 
saw-cut ;  he  gets  from  seventeen  to  twenty  for  every  two 
inches. 

Had  half  hour's  talk  with  Brunell  and  D.  M.  R.  about 
their  project  of  manufacturing  shoes,  in  concert  with  one 
Gilpin.  Took  a  mutton  chop,  potatoes,  and  a  pint  of  ale  at 
"  The  Hole  in  the  Wall."  Paid  three  shillings  and  four- 
pence  for  self  and  D.  M.  R.  Walked  back.  Got  home  at 
five,  and  was  not  half  so  fatigued  as  yesterday,  though  I  had 
not  sat  down  an  hour  from  nine  till  five.  Have  taken  my 
coffee,  and  now,  at  eight,  am  going  to  read  more  in  Political 
Justice,  that  I  may  question  the  author  a  little  about  his 
strange  principles  of  government.  I  beg  you  to  read  it  also, 
that  we  may  talk  it  over  together.  On  my  way  home,  called 
on  J.  H.  Out.  Had  bought  eightpence  worth  of  fruit  for 
her,  but  did  not  see  her.  Peter  Irving  lodged  at  the  same 
house  with  D.  M.  R.  He  left  town  this  morning,  without 
having  called  on  me  again  or  offering  me  the  least  service. 
He  left  with  D.  M.  R.  an  apology,  that  letters  just  received 
from  the  United  States  obliged  him  to  leave  town  suddenly 
and  unexpectedly.  Credat.  It  is  said  that  he  is  courting. 
While  I  was  writing  the  last  sentence,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  God- 
win came  in,  and  have  sat  an  hour.  They  had  news  for  me 
of  a  declaration  of  war  by  the  United  States ;  of  which, 
however,  I  do  not  believe  a  word.  Jul.'s  apples  and  pears 
came  in  demand. 

No  progress  made  to-day  in  finance.     Nothing  done  or 


276  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

attempted.  But,  as  the  fellow  says  in  the  farce,  "  though 
he  says  nothing  and  does  nothing,  yet  he  pays  it  off  in 
thinking."  So  with  us.  I  have,  however,  this  evening  been 
making  a  list  of  the  things  vendible  and  pawnable,  and  think 
I  may  make  out  to  raise  £40,  which  may  clear  me  out  and 
land  me  in  the  United  States  sans  sous. 

I  have  been  overhauling  Gampillo's  treasure  of  coins  and 
medals  ;  but  it  has  been  so  often  pillaged  that  nothing  val- 
uable is  left.  After  having  talked  of  it  so  often,  I  am 
ashamed  to  bring  him  only  such  trash. 

The  articles  destined  for  pawn  are  your  diamond  watch 
and  the  picture  watch  ;  and  for  sale,  my  silver  repeater,  and 
Moreri  and  Bayle  ;  and  on  Thursday  I  set  about  it.  To- 
morrow must  to  the  custom-house.  Bon  soir. 

29.  At  nine  came  in  D.  M.  R.  and  took  breakfast  with 
me ;  to  talk  about  his  shoe  affair.  At  twelve  to  J.  S.'s  to 
consult  him  about  the  books.  Out.  To  Graves's.  He  ad- 
vises that  I  remove  the  books,  and  thinks  there  can  be  no 
danger.  Hesitated  whether  to  do  so,  and  resolved  to  omit 
it,  at  least,  till  to-morrow.  To  Godwin's  to  get  a  book  (the 
new  edition  of  his  Political  Justice,  much  altered  and  im- 
proved). Promised  to  send  it.  To  J.  Hug.'s,  which  is  near 
Soho  Square,  |nd  sat  half  an  hour.  Then  to  J.  B.'s,  to  over- 
haul my  trunks  there  for  something  to  sell,  particularly  for 
the  diamond  watch.  After  hunting  an  hour,  could  not  find 
it ;  but  found  six  suit  of  riband  which  I  had  bought  for  you 
at  Palais  Royal ;  in  all,  twenty-eight  yards.  After  gazing  at 
them,  and  painting  to  myself  the  pleasure  they  would  give, 
as  being  my  taste,  and  evidence  of  my  recollection  in  all 
places,  I  reluctantly  resolved  to  sell  them  if  I  could  get  fifty 
dollars.  They  cost  seventy,  but  they  are  pretty,  and  here 
new.  Came  off  with  this,  and  two  parcels  of  Gampillo's 
coins,  which  I  found  there  also.  Wishing  much  to  meet 
again  Mr.  Clagge,  the  engineer,  from  whom  I  am  to  have 
description  and  drawings  of  his  steam-engine  and  gas-light 
improvements,  and  being  told  by  Graves  that  Clagge  would 


OF    AARON    BURR.  277 

be  at  his  house  at  four,  went  home  by  Westminster  and 
Black  Friars'  Bridges  ;  first  to  my  chophouse,  and  there  took 
a  dinner,  two  and  sixpence,  enormous  ;  and  then,  at  half  past 
four,  to  Graves's ;  but  Clagge  had  not  come,  and,  as  it  was 
raining  hard,  his  coming  was  doubtful.  So  my  labour  and 
money  lost.  Home  at  six,  and  found  D.  M.  R.  in  my  room. 
He  had  not  dined,  and  he  finished  my  mutton  and  sat  till 
eight.  He  took  the  ribands  and  will  try  what  he  can  do. 
This  being  my  pay-day,  he  lent  me  five  and  sixpence,  having 
just  sixpence  left  for  himself.  But  what  has  become  of  my 
last  forty  shillings,  you  will  ask.  Why,  madame,  fifteen 
shillings  are  spent,  and  I  have  also  a  golden  guinea,  rara  avis, 
which  I  have  procured  in  order  to  give  to  that  custom-house 
officer  who  did  me  the  favour  to  seize  my  books.  Brought 
from  Godwin's  "  Milton  on  Divorce,"  which  have  been  read- 
ing from  eight  to  twelve,  and  now,  at  one,  adieu. 

The  morning  appearing  fine,  went  out  without  my  um- 
brella and  got  well  wetted.  It  is  against  my  conscience,  you 
know,  to  hire  a  hack.  Remember  to  ask  me  for  anecdotes 
heard  to-day  of  your  young  Drayton  and  Grimke.  The 
former  was  in  ******  *. 

30.  This  is  the  anniversary  of  the  martyrdom  of  Charles. 
The  theatres  are  all  shut,  except  that  at  Covent  Garden 
a  solemn  oratorio  is  performed.  The  churches  open  and 
prayers.  Some  folks,  however,  make  it  a  day  of  feast 
and  rejoicing,  and  celebrate  the  right  of  cutting  off  kings' 
heads.  At  ten  to  J.  S.'s.  Out.  Rather  think  I  must  be 
denied,  this  being  the  fourth  time  successively.  To  the 
custom-house,  where  passed  an  hour  with  Mr.  Cooper,  the 
solicitor.  He  recommends  that  I  leave  the  books,  and  get 
the  trunks  sanctified  by  the  seal  of  the  custom-house,  which 
will  ensure  them  from  further  search  or  vexation.  Think  to 
do  so,  but  shall  withdraw  Bayle  and  Moreri  to  sell.  To  Ma- 
dame L.'s,  where  a  few  minutes  ;  had  no  news  for  me.  To 
Elt.  Hammond's.  Out.  To  W.  Graves's,  where  sat  an  hour 
reading  newspapers,  and  D.  M.  R.  came  in  as  by  appoint- 


278  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

ment.  We  had  agreed  to  go  to-day  to  a  manufactory  of 
vinegar ;  but,  for  good  reasons,  postponed  it.  Set  out  for 
Lincoln's  Inn  Fields,  but,  hard  rain  coming  on,  and  having 
taken  no  umbrella,  the  morning  being  fine,  turned  about  and 
stopped  a  few  minutes  at  Godwin's.  Continued  in  all  the 
rain  ;  by  musing,  lost  my  way  and  got  wet  to  the  skin.  Home 
at  four.  Changed  and  made  a  great  fire.  Got  half  a  pound 
mutton,  and  at  five  D.  M.  R.  came  in  and  dined  with  me,  as 
agreed.  He  had  again  got  five  pounds,  and  lent  me  forty 
shillings.  Paid  my  bill,  eight  shillings  board,  two  shillings 
milk,  &c.,  &c. ;  one  and  sixpence  to  Eliz.  Have  been 
reading  Milton  on  Divorce.  He  maintains  that  divorce  for 
incompatibility  of  temper,  for  want  of  love,  &c.,  &c.,  is  or- 
dained by  the  law  of  God,  as  contained  in  the  Old  and  New 
Testaments,  and  by  the  law  of  nature  ;  and  that  the  indisso- 
lubility  of  marriage  is  a  popish  doctrine,  instigated  by  the 
devil  to  promote  sin  and  misery.  He  cites  many  learned 
and  pious  authors,  and  refers  to  a  treatise  of  Erasmus  (which 
I  have  not  seen)  as  supporting  his  opinions.  D.  M.  R.  left 
the  ribands  with  a  lady  of  fashion,  who  was  charmed  with 
them ;  and  he  thinks  we  shall  get  more  than  fifty  dollars. 
If  so,  I  hope  you  will  not  regret  the  robbery,  nor  condemn. 
Don't  think,  Mons.  Gampillo,  that  you  are  to  escape.  I  have 
serious  thoughts  of  offering  in  the  lump  the  residue  of  your 
coins  and  medals.  Trash,  indeed ;  but  here  happens  to  be  a 
medal-monger  who  may  value  such  trash ;  and,  if  he  should 
offer  ten  guineas,  they  are  gone — gone. 

31.  At  eleven  to  J.  Bentham's  to  read  in  the  manuscript 
something  of  his  Law  of  Evidence.  At  one  came  D.  M.  R. 
by  appointment,  and  we  went  together  to  see  a  very  large 
vinegar  manufactory.  But  the  proprietor,  to  whom  D.  M. 
R.  introduced  himself,  was  so  churlish  and  rude  that  we 
came  off  without  seeing  anything.  It  is  on  the  Surry  side, 
not  far  from  the  London  Bridge.  D.  M.  R.  went  over  to 
the  city,  and  I  came  back  to  J.  B.'s.  Read  till  six.  Dined, 
and  off  at  nine  ;  and,  just  as  I  was  coming  away,  a  note  from 


OF    AARON    BURR.  279 

A.  was  handed  to  me.  It  was  opened  with  some  solicitude ; 
but  I  was  really  rejoiced  to  see  her  handwriting,-  having 
almost  despaired  of  reconciliation.  The  note  is  witty  and 
amiable,  as  you  shall  see.  I  answered  immediately,  but  have 
no  copy ;  must  get  one  for  you.  There  seems  ground  to 
hope  that  we  may  again  meet  as  friends.  Before  going  to 
J.  B.'s,  went  with  D.  M.  R.  to  confer  with  him  and  Brunell, 
and  instruct  them  about  a  bargain  they  are  to  make  to-day 
with  a  capitalist  (who  appears  to  me  to  be  a  great  rascal) 
about  the  shoe  business.  B.  and  D.  M.  R.  are  in  a  fair  way 
to  be  wronged  out  of  nine  tenths  of  the  value  of  their  in- 
ventions. 

FROM    MR.    BRUNELL   TO   D.  M.    RANDOLPH. 

London,  January  1,  1812. 

I  find  that,  for  the  purpose  of  improving  the  quality  of  the 
coals  used  in  making  powder,  they  burn  the  wood  in  a  re- 
tort and  receive  the  acid  in  water,  which  water,  when  satu- 
rated with  the  acid,  is  sold  to  the  diers.  This,  of  course, 
does  away  the  priority  of  invention  with  regard  to  vin- 
egar ;  consequently,  a  patent  could  not  be  got  for  the  same. 
What  I  allude  to  is  carried  on  at  Dartford,  in  Kent,  sixteen 
miles  from  town.  I  will  thank  you  to  communicate  this  to 
Col.  Burr,  whom  I  should  be  very  glad  to  see  with  you  to- 
morrow. 

I  must  observe,  however,  that  I  may  be  under  the  neces- 
sity of  going  to  town  to  attend  to  one  of  the  board.  The 
mill  will  always  be  open  to  your  inspection. 

M.  J.  BRUNELL. 

TO  THE  HONOURABLE  THE  COMMISSIONERS  OF  HIS  MAJESTY'S 
CUSTOMS. 

London,  January  14,  1812. 

Aaron  Burr,  citizen  or  the  United  States,  embarked  as  a 
passenger  on  board  the  American  ship  Vigilant,  which  has 

been  engaged  by  the  American  government  as  a  cartel  to 
VOL.  II.  18 


280  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

take  home  certain  of  their  distressed  seamen.  She  sailed 
from  the  Texel,  in  ballast,  on  the  30th  of  September,  1811 ; 
the  same  day  was  captured  by  his  majesty's  frigate  Le  De- 
sire, and  sent  into  Yarmouth.  A.  Burr  came  immediately 
to  London,  having  ordered  his  baggage  to  be  lodged  in  the 
custom-house.  Perceiving  that  the  Vigilant  might  still  be 
detained  for  some  time,  and  being  impatient  to  pursue  his 
voyage,  he  went  to  Yarmouth  early  last  month  to  bring  his 
baggage  to  London,  with  a  view  of  taking  his  passage  in  the 
first  ship  which  might  sail  for  the  United  States  from  this 
port.  He  informed  the  deputy-collector  (the  collector  being 
absent),  and  the  other  officers  of  the  customs  with  whom  he 
conversed,  that  he  should  take  such  articles  only  as  were 
not  liable  to  duty,  excepting  the  mineral  water,  which  is 
necessary  to  his  health.  Of  course,  his  liquors  and  small 
stores  were  left.  He  declared  repeatedly  and  openly  that 
the  two  larger  trunks  contained  principally  books  and  pamph- 
lets, and  that  the  smaller  case  contained  the  dictionaries 
of  Bayle  and  Moreri  (fourteen  volumes,  folio),  and  nothing 
else. 

Farther,  these  books  having  been  all  in  common  use  among 
the  passengers  during  the  fifteen  or  twenty  days  they  were 
on  board,  were  all  repacked  after  Aaron  Burr's  arrival  at 
Yarmouth  in  December,  in  the  presence  and  with  the  assist- 
ance of  several  of  the  custom-house  officers ;  so  that  there 
is  not  a  single  article  in  either  of  those  packages  which  has 
not  been  seen  and  handled  by  one  or  more  of  the  officers. 
The  deputy-collector,  and  the  other  gentlemen  whose  advice 
was  necessary  on  the  occasion,  seeing  that  the  books  were 
second-hand ;  that  they  were  manifestly  for  Aaron  Burr's 
private  use,  and  not  a  greater  quantity  than  might  be  reason- 
ably expected  to  compose  part  of  the  baggage  of  a  person 
of  his  habits  on  such  a  voyage,  decided  that  they  might  be 
considered  as  part  of  his  travelling  baggage,  &c.,  and  be 
landed  free  of  duty.  They  were  shipped  on  board  the  coast- 
ing vessel  (the  Commerce)  from  the  custom-house,  and  by 


OF    AARON    BURR.  281 

the  officers  thereof;  and  Aaron  Burr,  being  ignorant  of  the 
forms  of  office,  desired  those  gentlemen  to  furnish  the  neces- 
sary papers,  which  he  had  no  douht  had  been  done  in  the 
most  proper  and  authentic  manner. 

For  the  truth  of  these  facts,  Aaron  Burr  refers  confidently 
to  every  officer  of  the  customs  at  Yarmouth  with  whom  he 
had  any  intercourse ;  all  of  whom  must  also  attest  to  his 
loyalty  and  candour  on  every  occasion.  The  duties  now  pro- 
posed to  be  demanded  for  these  books  and  pamphlets  would 
amount  to  more  than  double  the  original  cost.  For  instance, 
Bayle  cost  four  francs  per  volume,  and  Moreri  four  francs 
ten  sous,  making,  for  the  fourteen  volumes,  sixty-one  francs, 
equal  to  fifty  shillings  and  tenpence  sterling.  The  pamph- 
lets cost  from  two  to  five  sous  each;  and  these  two  items 
compose  a  great  majority  of  the  bulk  and  weight. 

Considering,  therefore,  that  Aaron  Burr  is  not  chargeable 
with  any  concealment,  or  error,  or  even  negligence,  he  hopes 
to  be  permitted  to  receive  his  books  and  pamphlets  free  of 
duty,  as  part  of  his  baggage,  or  that  he  may  be  allowed  to 
reship  them  on  board  the  Vigilant,  to  proceed  with  her  to  the 
United  States.  A.  BURR. 

TO  THE  HONOURABLE  THE   COMMISSIONERS  OF  HIS  MAJESTY^ 
CUSTOMS. 

London,  January  16,  1812. 

On  the  14th  inst.  I  had  the  honour  to  transmit  to  you  a 
statement  of  facts  relating  to  some  books  and  pamphlets 
which  had  been  seized  in  this  port.  I  have  now  that  of 
enclosing  a  copy  of  the  bill  of  lading  for  these  and  my  other 
effects  which  were  shipped  at  Yarmouth.  It  will  be  seen 
that  books  are  specifically  mentioned  in  this  document. 

The  officer  by  whom  the  seizure  was  made  alleged  to 
me,  for  cause,  that,  in  the  permit,  books  were  not  specified  as 
composing  part  of  the  contents  of  the  trunks  and  case.  It 
is  not  in  my  power  positively  to  contradict  this  assertion, 
having  confided  wholly  to  the  correctness  of  the  custom- 


282  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

house  officers,  and  having  never,  to  my  recollection,  read  the 
permit;  but  I  well  remember  that  there  was  a  separate  permit 
for  the  parcels  of  which  my  baggage  consisted,  which  per- 
mit has  not,  that  I  can  learn,  been  yet  produced.  The  in- 
ference, however,  to  be  drawn  from  the  specification  of  books 
in  the  bill  of  lading  is  almost  conclusive,  as  it  refers  distinct- 
ly to  that  permit,  and  was  signed  and  delivered  to  me  by  the 
officer  by  whom  the  articles  were  shipped.  It  will,  at  least, 
afford  a  further  evidence  of  the  purity  of  my  intentions. 

A.  BURR. 

TO    LORD    BALGRAY. 

London,  January  21,  1812. 

A  letter  so  kind  and  so  full  of  useful  intimations  as  that 
which  you  wrote  me  on  the  14th  ultimo,  merited  an  earlier 
reply.  Though  more  than  a  month  has  elapsed  since  its 
date,  it  was  not  received  till  about  the  last  of  December, 
owing  to  my  absence  from  town  ;  and,  indeed,  the  abundance 
of  reflection  to  which  your  letter  gave  rise  ;  the  vast  and  im- 
portant views  which  it  discloses,  have  also  contributed  to  re- 
tard my  reply. 

My  tour  on  the  Continent  served  to  increase  my  admira- 
tion of  the  government  of  this  island  and  of  the  character  of 
its  inhabitants.  But  let  it  not  be  understood  that  I  hold  in 
equal  estimation  those  of  the  north  and  those  of  the  south. 
It  was,  however,  here  only  that  I  found  patriotism,  security, 
and  public  faith.  I  returned  to  it  with  the  same  dispositions 
that  filled  me  at  the  moment  of  my  first  arrival,  nearly  four 
years  ago.  But  when  I  reflected  on  the  treatment  then  re- 
ceived from  some  of  the  men  now  in  power ;  on  the  little 
confidence  I  had  inspired,  and  the  little  consideration  in  which 
I  was  held,  all  hope  of  being  useful  here,  either  to  this  country 
or  to  my  own,  appeared  chimerical,  and  was  abandoned ;  for 
to  have  tendered  myself  to  the  government  might  have  ex- 
posed me  to  new  indignities.  Delicacy  and  pride,  therefore, 
forbade  any  advances  on  my  part.  Hence  it  is,  that,  with  the 


OF    AARON  BURR.  283 

warmest  disposition,  and  with  the  ability  beyond  any  man  to 
point  out  the  means  of  conciliating  the  two  countries,  and  of 
contributing  to  the  application  of  those  means ;  that,  pos- 
sessing better  information  than  any  other  respecting  Spanish 
America,  and  more  able  to  fulfil  the  views  of  government, 
by  rendering  it  auxiliary  to  the  resources  of  this  country — 
hence  it  is,  I  say,  that,  with  this  disposition  and  these  ad- 
vantages, I  resolved  not  to  think  or  to  speak  of  politics,  and 
to  occupy  myself  solely  in  the  prosecution  of  my  voyage.  I 
therefore  called  on  no  one  except  two  or  three  literary  friends, 
who  live  wholly  in  the  intellectual  world,  and  abstracted  from 
the  occurrences  of  the  day. 

Seeing  no  prospect  of  a  speedy  termination  of  the  trial  of 
the  ship  Vigilant  (that  in  which  I  came  or  was  brought 
here),  I  went  to  Yarmouth,  placed  my  baggage  in  the  cus- 
tom-house, and  committed  to  some  of  its  officers  the  charge 
of  shipping  it  for  London  by  a  coaster  then  ready  to  sail ; 
and  the  wind  being  fair,  no  doubt  was  entertained  but  that 
she  would  reach  her  destination  in  forty-eight  hours. 

It  was  in  this  temper,  and  thus  predetermined,  that,  on  my 
return  from  Yarmouth,  your  letter  was  received.  It  awa- 
kened my  enthusiasm,  but  without. impairing  my  resolutions 
or  changing  my  opinions.  As  a  manifestation  of  your  es- 
teem and  attachment,  it  was  flattering,  it  was  dear  to  me  ; 
but  my  mind  was  decided,  and  measures  were  already 
taken  for  a  speedy  departure.  Ten  days  elapsed  and  the 
coaster  did  not  arrive.  In  the  mean  time,  the  American  ship 
sailed.  Finally,  after  a  voyage  of  eighteen  days,  the  coaster 
arrives  with  my  effects,  but  at  the  same  instant  they  are  all 
seized  at  the  custom-house,  by  reason  of  some  omission  on 
the  part  of  the  officers  by  whom  they  were  shipped  ;  and, 
at  the  moment  I  write,  explanations  are  going  on  between 
the  two  custom-houses.  Yesterday  sailed  the  last  of  the 
American  ships,  so  that  the  period  of  my  return  to  the  Uni- 
ted States  has  now  become  uncertain. 

Being  thus  unexpectedly  placed  in  a  state  of  temporary 


284  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

inaction,  I  have  read  your  letter  again  and  again,  and  with 
new  interest  and  pleasure.  It  is  true  that  I  should,  with 
great  regret,  leave  this  country  without  first  having  an  un- 
derstanding with  some  one  or  more  of  the  persons  in  power 
or  of  influence  as  to  the  line  of  conduct  the  government 
would  pursue  in  the  case  of  certain  events  which  probably 
may  occur  in  the  United  States.  I  am  also  well  disposed  to 
confer  on  the  other  topics  above  mentioned.  But  I  repeat, 
that  no  channel  of  approach  is  open  to  me.  It  is  impossible 
that  I  should  make  overtures.  Such  a  step  might  expose 
me  to  the  suspicion  of  improper  motives.  Yet  I  should 
meet  with  cheerfulness  any  which  might  be  made  to  me. 
Seeing,  however,  that  my  presence  has  been  known  to  every 
member  of  the  administration  since  the  very  day  of  my  ar- 
rival, it  may  be  concluded  that  no  such  overture  will  come 
from  them,  unless  goaded  to  it  by  some  one  outdoors. 
Should  you  deem  the  thing  so  far  worthy  of  your  attention 
as  to  produce  an  invitation  to  me,  it  would  be  improved  with 
pleasure.  I  beg,  however,  not  to  be  understood  as  taking 
the  liberty  to  ask  of  you  any  such  proceeding ;  but  the  sug- 
gestion grew  out  of  your  letter,  and  is  made  as  well  to  man- 
ifest my  willingness  to  do  whatever  may  be  in  my  power 
towards  the  attainment  of  purposes  of  the  highest  public  in- 
terest, as  to  exonerate  myself  from  the  reproach  of  indiffer- 
ence to  such  great  national  concerns. 

Of  American  politics,  it  is  impossible  that  I  should  say 
anything  without  saying  too  much,  at  least  for  this  mode  of 
communication.  As  an  American,  I  feel  humiliated  by  the 
conduct  of  my  government.  It  is,  however,  true  that  some 
censure  is  due  to  yours,  on  the  score  either  of  ignorance,  or 
of  apathy,  or  of  ill-will.  Of  the  two  former  I  fear  a  good 
deal.  It  is  a  sad  spectacle  that  two  nations,  whom  every 
motive  of  interest  and  policy  invite  to  union,  should  waste 
their  time,  their  resources,  and  their  energies  in  vile,  un- 
profitable discord,  emanating  from  imbecility  (always  suspi- 
cious), from  misconception,  and  from  base  personal  views. 


OF  AARON    BURR.  285 

Two  nations,  destined  to  support  and  aggrandize  each  other, 
and  solicited  by  Nature  and  by  the  actual  posture  of  the 
world  to  preserve  and  perpetuate  whatever  may  remain  of 
science,  of  arts,  of  liberty,  and  of  social  virtue.  For  it  is  a 
melancholy  fact,  my  friend,  that  Europe  is  fast,  very  fast  re- 
barbarizing  ;  retrograding  with  rapid  strides  to  the  darkest 
ages  of  intellectual  and  moral  degradation  ;  all  that  has  been 
seen,  or  felt,  or  heard,  or  read  of  despotism ;  all  other,  past 
and  present,  is  faint  and  feeble ;  it  is  freedom  and  ease  com- 
pared with  that  which  now  desolates  Europe.  The  science 
of  tyranny  was  in  its  infancy  ;  it  is  now  matured.  Within 
the  last  fifteen  years,  greater  ravages  have  been  made  on 
the  dignity,  the  worth,  and  the  rational  enjoyments  of  human 
nature,  than  in  any  former  ten  centuries.  All  the  efforts  of 
genius,  all  the  nobler  sentiments  and  finer  feelings  are  de- 
pressed and  paralyzed.  Private  faith,  personal  confidence, 
and  the  whole  train  of  social  virtues,  are  condemned  and 
eradicated.  They  are  crimes.  And  you,  my  friend,  even 
you,  with  all  your  generous  propensities,  your  chivalrous 
notions  of  honour,  and  faith,  and  delicacy,  were  you  con- 
demned to  live  within  the  grasp  of  the  tyrant,  even  you 
would  discard  them  all,  or  you  would  be  sacrificed  as  a  dan- 
gerous subject. 

Thank  the  lord  president  for  his  polite  expressions.  I 
have  not  written  to  him,  because,  to  write  without  any  other 
objects  than  those  which  have  been  already  expressed 
through  you,  would  assume  the  air  of  obtruding  myself  on 
his  correspondence. 

General  Alexander  Hope  and  I  never  met,  except  at  his 
office,  which  does  not  appear  to  me  that  sort  of  acquaintance 
which  would  justify  my  calling  his  attention  to  subjects  not 
immediately  within  the  sphere  of  his  official  duty.  The 
present  Lord  Melville  I  have  not  seen. 

The  untimely  loss  of  your  inestimable  brother  occupies  a 
portion  of  every  day  of  my  life.  It  has  inflicted  a  wound  on 
my  peace  and  happiness  which  no  time  can  heal  or  assuage. 


286  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

You  knew  something  of  the  intimacy  which  subsisted  be- 
tween us,  but  its  whole  extent  could  be  known  only  to  him 
and  to  me.  It  is  such  as  had  I  with  no  other  man  living, 
and  such  as  it  is  utterly  improbable  I  should  ever  have  with 
any  one  again.  If  his  children  were  my  own,  they  could 
not  be  dearer  to  me.  I  saw,  with  extreme  regret,  the  feeble 
though  gentle  temper  of  Alexander ;  such  as  you  have  de- 
scribed him.  He  may  make  a  mild  and  amiable  private 
gentleman ;  but  it  is  only  in  the  children  of  Ann  that  we 
may  hope  to  see  the  genuine  blood  of  the  father. 

You  will  readily  believe  that  I  am  secluded  from  the 
world  when  I  assure  you  that  I  had  heard  nothing  of  your 
judicial  character,  nor  of  Ann's  marriage,  nor  of  the  Lord 
Justice  Clerk's  promotion,  till  the  receipt  of  your  letter. 
Pardon  me,  but  I  think  you  were  wrong  to  resist  such  an 
appointment.  The  acceptance  is  a  duty  you  owed  your  fel- 
low-citizens. If  men,  independent  in  their  character  and 
fortune,  decline  such  places,  by  whom  would  they  be  filled  ? 
Besides,  though  it  may  infringe  somewhat  on  your  time  and 
repose,  you  will,  I  should  presume,  be  more  than  compen- 
sated by  the  more  intimate  association  to  which  it  must  lead 
with  men,  some  of  whom  I  know  you  greatly  value.  I  do 
not,  however,  offer  you  my  congratulations,  but  I  offer  them 
to  your  country.  A.  BURR. 

FROM  J.  MILLS*  TO   GENERAL  MIRANDA. 

Newington  Green  (Middlesex),  January  20, 1812. 

You  know,  I  believe,  that  Colonel  Burr,  a  year  perhaps 
or  more  before  you  left  England,  had  gone  to  the  Continent. 
You  know,  likewise,  the  history  of  the  connexion  between 
him  and  an  intimate  friendt  of  ours.  While  I  was  in  the 
country  with  that  friend  during  last  autumn,  he  received, 
very  unexpectedly }  a  letter  from  Colonel  Burr,  stating  that 
he  had  arrived  at  Yarmouth,  and  would  be  in  London  in  a 
few  days. 

*  The  friend  and  associate  of  Mr.  Jeffrey.  f  Jeremy  Bentham. 


OF    AARON    BURR.  287 

The  history  of  his  arrival  was  this  :  After  some  stay  in 
Paris,  he  had  taken  his  passage  on  board  an  American  ship, 
and  was  on  his  way  to  the  United  States,  when  the  ship  was 
stopped  by  one  of  our  cruisers  and  brought  into  port.  Our 
friend,  whose  mind  is  alive  to  everything  conducive  to  the 
piosperity  of  you  and  your  country  in  the  great  cause  in 
which  you  are  engaged,  reflecting  upon  the  return  of  this 
gentleman  to  his  own  country  ;•  a  country  in  which  he  once 
had  great  power,  and  might  possibly  have  again  ;  reflect- 
ing that  his  partisans  and  power  lay  chiefly  in  that  part  of 
his  own  country  which  was  nearest  to  yours,  and  that  his 
talents,  and  the  chapter  of  accidents,  of  so  much  importance 
in  human  affairs,  might,  if  nothing  else  did,  give  him  an  influ- 
ence that  might  be  exerted  to  much  good  or  ill  effect  towards 
South  America  in  the  present  critical  state,  he  thought  the 
opportunity  ought  not  to  be  lost  of  doing  what  he  could  to 
secure  to  you  the  good  offices  of  Col.  Burr.  He  communi- 
cated to  me  his  idea,  which  was  to  write  to  the  colonel,  in 
fear  he  might  not  have  an  opportunity  of  seeing  him ;  and  if 
there  were  any  grounds  of  dislike  towards  you  in  his  mind,  to 
show  him  that  they  were  neither  reasonable  nor  prudent. 

The  letter  which  I  enclose  is  that  which  was  received  in 
answer,  and  I  have  no  doubt  that  you  will  consider  it  care- 
fully and  candidly.  I  entirely  agreed  in  opinion  with  our 
friend  that  you  should  see  it,  though  I  "was  aware  that  your 
feelings  towards  Colonel  Burr  were  not  favourable,  as  I  did 
not  conceal  from  our  friend.  But  I  knew,  at  the  same  time, 
that  the  circumstances  which  had  operated  on  your  mind 
were  circumstances  which  had  acted  upon  its  sympathetic 
more  than  upon  its  reasoning  part;  namely,  the  loss  of  your 
friend  Hamilton,  and  the  discourses  of  his  friends.  And  I 
knew  that  our  friend  had  enjoyed  more  than  ordinary  oppor- 
tunities of  reading  pretty  deep  into  the  mind  of  Burr ;  and  I 
found  that  his  opinion  of  him  was  high.  He  made,  at  the 
same  time,  a  remark,  which  appeared  to  me  to  be  profoundly 
just,  which  was,  that,  allowing  him  to  be  ever  so  much  de 


288  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

ceived  in  the  good  opinion  which  he  had  of  the  moral  char- 
acter of  Colonel  Burr,  it  made  really  no  difference  as  to  the 
point  in  question. 

The  only  question  was,  whether  Colonel  Burr,  be  he  a 
good  or  be  he  a  bad  man,  was  likely  to  have  any  real  in- 
terest in  opposing  Miranda,  or  Miranda  in  opposing  him  ? 
No  :  there  appeared  no  one  conceivable  way  in  which  they 
could  have  an  interest  in  opposing  one  another ;  and  it  might 
be  of  importance  to  both  that  they  should  be  disposed  to  do 
one  another  services.  As  no  man  is  bad  but  in  pursuit  of 
his  interest,  real  or  supposed,  it  is,  therefore,  of  no  conse- 
quence to  our  general,  said  he,  whether  Burr  be  good  or  bad. 
He,  at  least,  does  not  want  common  sense ;  and  the  man 
whom  it  is  his  interest  to  co-operate  with  may  count  upon 
his  co-operation  as  steadily  on  the  one  supposition  as  the 
other.  He  is  allowed  on  all  hands  to  be  a  man  of  an  active, 
fertile,  and  enterprising  mind ;  and  in  the  present  state  of 
America,  and  considering  the  footing  he  has  in  it,  it  is  of  im- 
portance that  the  cause  of  Miranda  should  have  him  for  a 
friend. 

This,  my  dear  general,  is  the  result  of  various  conversa 
tions  ;  the  substance  of  which,  I  am  sure,  I  have  given  you 
correctly.  To  me  the  reflections  appear  to  be  solid ;  and 
if  they  are  not  opposed  in  your  mind  by  a  knowledge  of 
facts  which  neither  our  friend  nor  I  possess,  I  think  they 
cannot  fail  to  convince  you.  If  you  agree  with  us  in  this 
respect,  what  our  friend  proposes  is,  that  you  should  send  a 
letter  to  me  expressive  of  your  sentiments  towards  Col.  Burr, 
and  of  your  readiness  to  enter  into  a  reciprocation  of  good 
offices  with  him,  as  far  as  is  consistent  with  the  duties  you 
owe  to  your  country  and  to  yourself;  and  that  he  will  en- 
deavour to  make  it  answer  the  purpose  which  he  expects 
from  it.  I  shall  send  a  duplicate  of  this  and  of  Col.  Burr's 
letter  in  a  few  weeks,  and  shall  add  any  little  incidents  that 
may  turn  up. 

I  should  have  mentioned  that  the  vessel  in  which  Colonel 


OF    AARON    BURR.  289 

Burr  arrived  has  been  all  this  time  detained  by  our  admi- 
ralty court ;  but  he  now  expects  she  will  be  allowed  to  de- 
part soon ;  when  he  goes,  I  think,  for  Carolina,  in  the  first 
instance.  J.  MILLS. 

FROM    LORD   BALGRAY. 

Edinburgh,  January  28,  1812. 

I  am  just  come  from  the  court,  and  have  only  half  an  hour 
to  catch  the  post,  and  to  let  you  know  that  I  received  yours 
of  the  21st  on  the  26lh  only. 

I  had  a  conversation  with  the  lord  president  this  morning, 
who  requests  to  be  kindly  remembered  to  you ;  and,  from 
what  passed  between  us,  I  have  to  ask,  whether  or  not  you 
will  permit  me  to  put  your  letter  to  me  of  the  21st  into  the 
hands  of  a  confidential  friend  in  London  ? 

You  know  well  that  I  would  take  no  such  step  without 
your  permission  ;  and  I  trust  that  you  are  sufficiently  ac- 
quainted both  with  the  lord  president  and  me,  so  as  to  sat- 
isfy you  that  no  use  will  be  made  of  any  such  permission 
but  what  is  consistent  with  the  strictest  honour. 

Write  me  shortly  after  the  receipt  of  this.  I  shall,  by 
Friday's  post,  which  you  will  get  on  Monday  the  3d,  write 
you  more  fully.  DAVID  WILLIAMSON. 

JOURNAL. 

London,  February  1,  1812.  Have  spent  fourteen  shillings 
and  sixpence  magnificently;  i.  e.,like  an  ass.  Rose  at  six, 
why  so  early  I  know  not,  unless  the  anticipation  of  the  pleas- 
ures of  the  day.  But  woke,  and  had  slept ;  sat,  ergo,  rose. 
At  two  P.  M.  to  J.  H.,  who,  being  at  work,  stayed  and  looked 
on,  greatly  amused  to  see  her  handle  so  dexterously  those  nice 
Mule  tools,  till  the  work  was  done.  Then  we  sallied  to  St. 
Paul's  ;  but,  being  late  and  a  little  rainy,  did  not  go  in,  but  on 
lo  the  eating-house,  where  we  dined  in  my  little  cabinet, 
very  plain  and  good  ;  the  whole,  including  coffee  and  one 
shilling  to  the  domestics,  five  shillings.  J.  had  never  seen 


290  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

a  cocoanut  nor  dates ;  bought  of  both.  J.  loves  oranges ; 
some  were  bought.  Got  back  to  J.'s  lodgings  at  eight,  and 
to  my  own  at  nine.  In  the  cash  accounts,  found  myself  mi- 
nus fourteen  shillings  and  sixpence. 

Called  at  Graves's,  but  he  had  nothing  for  me ;  nor  had 
sold,  nor  ever  will  sell,  the  Seltzer  water.  Read  this  morning 
and  this  evening  more  of  Milton  on  Divorce,  and  his  essay 
on  the  Liberty  of  the  Press. 

2.  *At  half  past  ten  to  A.'s,  agreeably  to  my  note  ;  was  gra- 
ciously received.  Stayed  but  a  few  minutes,  and  on  to 
Queen's  Square  Place,  where  had  appointed  to  meet  Brunell. 
Found  him  already  there.  We  talked  over  his  shoe  affair, 
and  he  seemed  content.  D.  M.  Randolph  came  in,  and  we 
walked  together  to  Covent  Garden,  and  I  on  to  Godwin's. 
They  all  pressed  me  to  dine,  which  I  refused.  Home  ;  took 
my  p.  d.  t.  and  pint  of  ale.  All  excellent.  Then,  as  agreed, 
to  A.'s,  about  three  miles,  and,  I  think,  something  more.  She 
lives  near  St.  James's-street.  So  look  at  your  map.  Took 
tea  there  and  passed  two  hours.  Confidence  seems  to  be 
restored.  Home  at  half  past  nine,  and  have  been  the  whole 
evening  drawing  a  power  of  attorney  for  an  American  gen- 
tleman, for  which  am  to  have  three  guineas. 

Mr.  Brunell  had,  on  Friday,  by  D.  M.  R.,  sent  me  word 
that  he  wished  further  conversation  about  the  shoe  affair, 
and  begged  me  to  come  out  and  dine  with  him  on  Sunday 
(this  day).  Now  this  struck  me  as  so  very  like  a  customary 
invitation  to  a  musician,  asking  the  honour  of  his  company 
to  dine,  and  that  he  would  please  to  put  his  violin  in  his 
pocket,  I  declined,  and  gave  him  rendezvous  at  my  own 
house.  An  Irish  gentleman,  famous  for  playing  the  flute, 
having  received  from  a  nobleman  an  invitation  of  the  sort 
just  mentioned,  replied,  that  though  he  often  supped,  yet  his 
flute  never  did,  and  they  must  therefore  both  decline  the 
honour  of  his  lordship's  invitation.  Past  two  o'clock. 

Greenwich,  February  3,  1812.  D.  M.  R.  came  in  and 
took  breakfast  with  me,  and,  after  he  went,  copied  anew  my 


OF    AARON    BURR.  291 

power  of  attorney,  and  drew  a  set  of  instructions  to  accom- 
pany them,  which  occupied  me  till  one.  Then  to  Koe's 
office,  to  get  him  to  put  them  into  hands  to  be  engrossed. 
To  D.  M.  R.'s,  where  left  a  note  to  say  that  I  would  meet 
him  at  the  stage-office,  Golden  Cross,  Charing  Cross,  at 
seven  this  evening,  to  take  passage  for  Dartford.  We  had 
last  evening  called  at  that  office,  and  were  told  that  a  coach 
sat  off  every  evening  at  seven.  Called  on  J.  H.,  from  whom 
had  a  note  this  morning.  Out.  Left  your  ring-watch  to  be 
put  in  order,  for  I  can't  make  it  go,  and,  till  it  can  go,  it  can't 
be  pawned.  Home  at  four,  and  took  my  p.  d.  t.  and  ale. 
Put  things  in  order  for  an  absence  of  twenty-four  hours, 
took  my  surtout,  and  walked  off  to  Charing  Cross.  Was 
excessively  heated  by  a  quick  march  of  about  three  miles, 
under  the  encumbrance  of  a  greatcoat,  and  the  weather 
warm.  Found  D.  M.  R.  there,  waiting  for  me ;  but  the 
coach  had  gone  at  six,  and  no  other  was  to  go  this  night. 
We  then  resolved  to  take  a  bed  at  the  coffee-house  or  tav- 
ern attached  to  the  office,  and  to  go  off  at  seven  in  the  morn- 
ing ;  but  neither  in  that  nor  in  any  coffee-house  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood could  we  get  a  room  to  ourselves.  Adjourned  to 
a  beer-house  in  the  vicinity  to  hold  counsel ;  a  small  house 
where  roasted  potatoes  and  beer  are  always  to  be  had. 
Gentlemen,  who  have  better  appetites  than  purses,  come 
here  with  their  bit  of  meat  in  their  pockets,  and,  with  three 
halfpence  worth  of  potatoes  and  twopence  worth  of  porter, 
make  a  good  dinner.  We  resolved  to  take  one  of  the  Green- 
wich stages,  and  go  so  far  on  this  evening.  Greenwich  is 
not  exactly  on  the  stage-road,  but,  by  walking  half  a  mile 
up  the  hill,  we  might  get  to  the  "  Green  Man,"  a  tavern  on 
the  edge  of  Blackheath,  where  the  Dartford  coaches  stop. 
This  was  our  plan,  and  we  accordingly  took  places,  and  for 
one  and  ninepence  each  were  landed  in  Greenwich.  As  to 
the  walk  up  the  hill,  I  represented  to  D.  M.  R.  that,  if  we 
should  go  on  foot  to  the  "  Green  Man,"  being  strangers,  we 
might  be  mistaken  for  footpads,  and,  instead  of  getting  a 


292  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

supper  and  bed,  might  be  sent  to  bridewell.  He  found  this 
reasoning  conclusive,  and  here  we  lodge ;  have  had  coffee 
most  execrably  bad,  and  the  sheets  on  my  bed,  which  I  have 
seen,  have  been  used  constantly  at  least  a  fortnight.  You 
may  ride  through  England  in  all  directions  on  the  public 
roads,  and,  unless  you  travel  with  your  own  horses  or  in  a 
postchaise,  I  engage  you  never  see  a  clean  bed.  We  are 
in  a  very  large  tavern,  and  a  handsome  room. 

Dartford,  February  4,  1812.  Rose  at  seven.  Paid  for 
our  coffee  and  bed  eight  shillings  and  sixpence  ;  and  one 
shilling  to  the  maid,  to  the  waiter,  and  to  the  shoeblack  each, 
making  eleven  shillings  and  sixpence.  We  walked  on  with- 
out taking  breakfast.  About  two  miles  over  Blackheath 
were  overtaken  by  the  Dartford  coach,  and  got  on  the  top 
for  two  good  reasons  ;  first,  the  inside  was  full,  and,  second, 
it  is  half  price.  The  day  mild  and  not  wet.  We  were 
eight  on  the  top,  and  presently  took  up  three  more,  viz.,  a 
gentleman  and  two  ladies,  well  dressed,  and  prepossessing 
in  their  manners.  One  of  them  beautiful,  and  interesting, 
and  cheerful ;  she  sat  opposite  me,  and  we  talked ;  should 
like  to  know  more  of  her,  but  we  shall  never  meet  again ; 
received  my  admiration  with  complacency.  At  Dartford 
stopped  at  the  "  Fox  Hall"  inn,  apparently  a  new  estab- 
lishment ;  we  were  not  deceived ;  they  gave  us  an  excellent 
breakfast.  Went  out  immediately  on  the  business  which 
brought  me,  and  called  at  Mr.  Edward  Hall's  ;  but,  alas  ! 
he  was  far  off  on  a  journey,  and,  what  more  surprised  me, 
has  no  establishment  here  either  of  charcoal  or  powder; 
a  most  strange  error  in  Brunell.  Saw,  however,  Mr.  Hall's 
clerk,  a  decent,  intelligent  young  man.  Learned  that  the 
application  of  Brunell  on  my  behalf  for  some  of  the  acid 
had  been  received.  Showed  my  permission  from  Reeves. 
This  clerk,  whose  name  is  Clarke,  recommended  us  to  ad- 
dress ourselves  to  Pigou,  Andrews,  and  Wilkes,  who  are 
the  proprietors  of  the  large  manufactories  of  carbon  and 
gunpowder  at  this  place.  Walked  about  a  mile  through  the 


OF    AARON    BURR.  293 

town  to  this  manufactory.  It  is  a  beautiful  promenade  up 
the  River  Dart,  something  larger  than  your  Bronx.  Were 
shown  into  an  office,  where  was  Mr.  Wilkes,  the  managing 
partner,  dressed  very  coarsely,  and  even  dirty,  with  an  old, 
greasy  hat  on  his  head.  There  was  a  gentleman  on  busi- 
ness with  him ;  he  did  not  stir  from  his  seat  nor  incline  his 
head.  Showed  him  Reeves's  permission.  "  Who  is  this 
man  who  writes  this  note  ?"  I  told  him  who  was  Mr.  Reeves. 
"  Why,  by  G — d,  I  don't  know  the  man  !"  then,  shifting  his 
position  a  little,  with  impatience,  addressing  himself  to  the 
gentleman,  and  raising  his  voice,  "  By  G — d,  sir,  this  is  the 
most  extraordinary  thing  I  ever  heard  of  in  my  life  !  A 
fellow  I  never  saw  gives  a  man  permission  to  come  and 
examine  my  manufactories  !"  He  was  going  on,  and,  doubt- 
less, would  have  concluded  by  turning  us  out  of  doors  ;  but 
I  interposed  ;  told  him  that  I  was,  as  he  saw  by  the  note, 
an  American,  and  about  to  leave  England  in  a  few  days ; 
that  I  had  no  desire  nor  curiosity  to  see  his  manufactories, 
but  that  I  had  understood  that,  in  the  process,  he  procured 
a  sort  of  acid  of  little  value  ;  that,  having  been  lately  on  the 
Continent,  I  had  seen  that  acid  employed  to  important  pur- 
poses ;  and,  happening  to  mention  it  to  Mr.  Reeves,  he 
thought  the  discovery  of  very  great  value,  and  that  it  was 
totally  unknown  here  ;  that  the  sole  object  of  my  visit  was 
to  get  a  barrel  of  that  acid ;  and  that,  if  I  could  succeed  in 
the  process,  it  would  render  the  acid  of  very  great  value  ; 
that  Mr.  Reeves  had  informed  me  he  had  understood  that  Mr. 
Wilkes  was  a  very  polite  gentleman,  and  had  no  doubt  that  he 
(Mr.  W.)  would  take  pleasure  in  gratifying  me  in  a  matter  so 
essential  to  his  own  interest  and  to  that  of  the  public.  "  Now, 
sir,  if  you  are  not  disposed  to  do  so,  I  have  only  to  beg 
your  pardon  for  the  trouble,  and  to  bid  you  good-morning." 
The  idea  of  gain  softened  his  muscles ;  he  asked  us  to  sit. 
Sent  a  servant  to  bring  some  of  the  acid  for  my  inspection  ; 
ordered  a  bottle  to  be  washed,  and  filled,  and  well  corked  for 
me ;  offered  to  send  a  servant  with  it  to  my  lodgings,  to 


294  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

save  me  the  trouble  of  carrying  it ;  gave  me  the  address  of 
his  agent  in  London,  and  promised  to  send,  by  his  own 
wagon,  a  barrel  of  the  acid  to  my  friend  Allen  immediately. 
I  asked  what  would  be  the  expense.  "  Oh  !  nothing  at  all, 
sir ;  my  teams  are  going  constantly,  and  it  will  give  no 
trouble  ;  you  may,  if  you  please,  only  send  an  empty  barrel 
to  my  agent  to  replace  that  which  I  shall  transmit." 

I  came  off  with  my  bottle  of  acid,  quite  content.  Found 
a  return  postchaise,  which  agreed  to  take  us  both  to  my  door 
for  seven  shillings.  Left  Dartford  at  three,  and  at  half  past 
five  was  seated  by  my  own  fire.  Had  dinner  for  self  and 
D.  M.  R.  Now,  as  Mr.  Clarke  will  also  procure  me  another 
barrel  of  the  acid  from  Mr.  Hall's  works,  which  are  at  about 
thirty  miles  beyond  Dartford,  I  shall  be  well  stocked ;  the 
moment  it  arrives,  friend  Allen  and  I  shall  go  to  work,  and, 
if  I  succeed,  most  certainly  I  shall  have  some  hundred  guin- 
eas of  it. 

The  ribands  are  not  yet  sold.  Have  not  seen  Graves 
these  two  days.  Forgot  to  tell  you  that  I  called  yesterday 
on  Mr.  Lovett,  by  command  of  A.  Wrote  to  A.  yesterday 
the  history  of  that  visit,  and  the  copy  of  the  note  will  inform 
you,  if  I  can  get  it  from  her  to  copy.  Past  one.  You  little 
imps,  you  take  too  much  of  my  time ;  I  ought  to  have  writ- 
ten something  for  Brunell  and  D.  M.  R.  this  evening. 

I  have  given  you  this  detail  by  way  of  sample  of  the  man- 
ner a  stranger  gets  along  here.  I  shall  relate  to  you  many 
more.  It  should  be  noted  that,  at  the  door  of  Wilkes's  office, 
stood  his  footman  or  valet,  in  rich  livery,  covered  with  lace. 

London,  February  5.  To  Graves's  at  eleven  to  meet  Wal- 
ter, the  secretary  of  J.  Bentham,  whom  I  had  some  days 
ago  appointed  to  meet,  in  order  to  go  to  the  custom-house  to 
overhaul  the  books  and  get  out  some  which  J.  B.  wishes. 
None  of  us  recollected  that  this  is  a  solemn  day  of  fasting, 
and  prayer,  and  humiliation.  Shops  and  offices  all  shut,  and 
no  business  done.  Walter  came  and  went,  rien  fait.  Thence 
to  K.'s  office  to  get  the  power  of  attorney,  which  was  neatly 


OF    AARON    BURR.  295 

copied  on  parchment,  and  also  the  instructions ;  four  shil- 
lings, and   for  the  parchment  four  shillings  more.     Wrote 
note  to  A.  to  excuse  me  from  calling  to-day,  having,  while 
at  Graves's,  learned  that  the  letter-bag  of  the  ship  Orbit,  for 
New-York,  will  go  this  afternoon  at  four.     Resolved  to  come 
home  and  write  to  you.     Went  first  to  J.  H.'s,  where  half 
an  hour.     J.  can't  do  the  ring-watch  for  want  of  proper  tools. 
Home  at  near  three ;  wet  (for  it  rained  all  the  time  I  was 
out),  chilly,  and  hungry.     Had  to  change  clothes,  make  fire, 
and  get  dinner ;  and,  before  all  this  was  done  and  dinner  eat- 
en, it  was  near  five.     Felt  a  little  drowsy,  owing  to  the  va- 
rious labours  of  the  morning ;  lay  down  to  repose  a  minute, 
and  slept  profoundly  till  eight.     Have  got  and  drank  my  cof- 
fee, and  now,  at  a  quarter  past  nine,  having  done  all  this  and 
no  more,  am  going  to  prepare  to  begin  to  write  to  Theodo- 
sia.     You  see  what  it  is  to  economize  time ;  I  have  been  in 
only  about  six  hours  and  a  half,  and  am  nearly  ready  to  com- 
mence my  work.     Have  not  seen  D.  M.  R.  to-day,  but  wrote 
him  a  note,  which  left  at  Graves's,  where  he  is  to  call  for  it. 
6.  Was  up  till  two,  writing  you  a  letter  of  two  very  full 
pages.     At  one  to  Allen's  with  my  bottle  of  acid,  which  he 
will  try  with  immediately.     Then  to  hunt  for  a  barrel,  which 
my  good  and  amiable  friend,  Mr.  W.,  promised  to  fill  for  me 
with  the  same  acid.     A  barrel  costs  thirty  shillings  sterling, 
about  six  dollars  and  a  half.     Not  having  thirty  pence,  I  bor- 
rowed a  barrel.     Then  to  Captain  Combes's,  at  Wapping, 
with  whom  dined.     He  was  so  very  kind  that  I  suspected 
there  was  something  in  the  wind..    After  dinner  he  took  me 
into  his  room,  and  told  me  that  he  had  chartered  his  ship  for 
a  voyage  to  New-Orleans,  and  hoped  I  would  not  object  to 
being  landed  there,  he  would  be  so  happy  to  have  me.     I 
took  time  to  answer,  and  we  are  to  meet  on  Sunday.     Then 
to  Graves's,  where  met  D.  M.  R.,  and  we  walked  together 
to  Charing  Cross.     I  went  on  to  J.  B.'s,  where  got  a  letter 
from  Lord  Balgray,  in  answer  to  that  which  I  wrote  him  on 

the  21st  January.     He  has  shown  the  letter  to  a  noble  friend, 
VOL.  II.  19 


296  PRIVATE  JOURNAL 

and  they  ask  permission  to  send  it  to  another  noble  friend 
in  London.  This  was  what  I  foresaw,  but  not  exactly  what 
I  wished.  I  have  just  been  writing  to  Lord  Balgray,  and 
have  committed  the  letter  to  his  delicacy  and  discretion. 
Stayed  but  a  few  minutes  at  Q.  S.  P.,  and  thence  to  A.'s, 
where  two  hours.  Thence  to  Godwin's,  where  half  an  hour, 
and  then  home.  Had  taken  tea  with  A.,  but,  not  having  had 
my  allowance  of  ale,  sent  for  a  pint,  which  have  drank.  What 
a  John  Bull,  you  will  cry. 

7.  It  was  half  past  two  when  I  couched,  and  that  ale  or 
some  other  vicious  thing  kept  me  tossing  and  turning  all 
night.     From  six  to  ten  a  good  nap.     Have  been  all  day  at 
home  in  slippers  and  nightgown  (old  surtout),  writing  a  let- 
ter in  answer  to  Lord  Balgray,  which  was  despatched,  and 
writing  something  for  Randolph  and  Brunell   about  their 
shoe  affairs.     D.  M.  R.  called  on  me  at  twelve  (the  ribands 
not  sold),  and  again  at  five,  and  dined  with  me.     After  din- 
ner went  to  the  Godwins',  and  there  wrote  a  note  to  J.  B. 
that  I  would  dine  with  him  to-morrow  if  naught  to  the  con- 
trary, &c.,  and  took  lea.     Home  at  ten,  and  have  been  three 
hours   reading  newspapers  which   the   Godwins   lent  me. 
The  cash  has  got  down  to  sevenpence,  and  I  have  no  to- 
bacco ;  and  coffee,  and  coal,  and  bread  only  for  to-morrow. 
A  fine,  mild  day,  and  without  rain,  but  has  been  raining  all 
the  evening.    I  have  not  seen  ice  or  frost  the  last  ten  days. 

8.  Rose  at  nine.     You  see  I  have  got  in  a  bad  way ;  lay- 
ing late.     At  twelve  to  Graves's  ;  no  letter.     Nothing  done. 
D.  M.  R.  told  me  yesterday  that  a  ship  was  to  sail  for  Uni- 
ted States  this  day ;  so,  before  going  out,  sealed  up  your  let- 
ter and  enclosed  it  to  White,  Charnley,  and  Co.     Was  that 
right  ?     But  could  not  hear  of  said  ship  at  Graves's.     Then 
to  J.  Smith's  to  inquire.     He  knows  nothing.     To  friend 
Allen's,  the  chymist.     He  had  not  touched  the  acid,  for  I  saw 
it  on  the  table  just  where  I  had  left  it.     He  was  busy  and 
could  not  be  seen.     Back  to  Graves's,  where  D.  M.  R.  was 
to  meet  me  at  two ;  but  I  stayed  till  three,  and  he  came  not. 


OF    AARON    BURR.  297 

which  is  "  very  disagreeable,"  for  he  was  to  bring  me  money 
for  the  power  of  attorney,  and  you  already  know  the  state 
de  la  caisse  tresoriale.     J.  Smith  did  not  say  a  word  to  me 
about  Combes's  destination,  though  he,  J.  S.,  is  the  person 
who  has  chartered  the  ship.     Graves  told  me  that  he  heard 
it  at  the  exchange.     I  did  not  add  this  intelligence  to  any 
letter  to  you,  because  it  is  possible  the  charter  may  not  take 
place.     Then  to  Lincoln's  Inn  Fields,  to  call  at  Koe's  office 
for  J.  Bentham's  answer,  as  I  wrote  him  I  would ;  but  Koe 
was  out,  and  no  message  for  me.     To  J.  H.,  where  quarter 
of  an  hour.     To  Dessaules's,  the  goldsmith,  to  get  my  parolic 
cement,  which  had  left  there.     Am  resolved  to  try  myself. 
Just  after,  was  hailed  in  the  street  by  A.,  who  was  walking 
in  all  the  rain  with  Mr.  Dawes,  printre  tres  celebre.     She 
told  me  she  was  to  dine  at  B.'s ;  so  I  replied  that,  for  that 
reason,  I  would  not  go,  for  I  should  be  de  trop.     Then  she 
replied  she  would  not  go.     So  I  promised  to  go  there  to  meet 
her.     After  doing  some  other  errands,  went  on  to  J.  B.'s. 
K.  met  me,  and  said  there  was  a  note  for  me  at  his  office, 
begging  me  to  come  to-morrow  and  not  to-day  !  and  off  came 
I,  and  had  a  good  three  miles  and  more  to  get  home.     Ar- 
rived at  six,  with  a  very  good  appetite,  having  walked,  as 
you'd  know  if  you  had  taken  the  pains  to  study  the  map  of 
London  which  I  sent  you,  as  I  bid  you.     Held  a  consultation 
with  myself  about  dining.     Instead  of  having  bread  for  the 
day,  had  not  a  mouthful,  and  was  sick  for  want  of  tobacco. 
To  dine  and  drink  a  pint  of  ale  would  just  ruin  me.     So  sent 
my  little  maid  for  fourpence  worth  of  bread  and  an  ounce  of  to- 
bacco, threepence  halfpenny ;  for  which  had  to  borrow  a  pen- 
ny and  a  half  of  her ;  and  having  only  coffee  for  the  morning, 
and  very  scant,  for  J.  Hug.  is  to  breakfast  with  me,  agreed 
to  omit  the  dinner,  and  take  tea  with  my  cassonade,  which 
found  very  good ;  with  a  bit  of  cheese  made  a  hearty  meal. 
Of  tea  have  only  for  once  more.     If  D.  M.  R.  should  not  call 
in  the  morning  with  the  money,  some  of  Gampillo's  coins 
must  go,  or  Gam.  must  fast,  and  freeze  too,  for  his  coal  is  out, 


I 

298  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

This  change  of  destination  of  the  Vigilant  is  exceedingly 
embarrassing  to  me.  What  New-Orleans  may  be  if  its  new 
government  has  taken  place,  I  know  not ;  but  as  it  was,  under 
a  sort  of  military  regime,  and  in  the  hands  of  my  inexorable 
enemies,  I  might  expect  uncivil  usage.  Then,  if  I  give  up 
this  ship,  how  pay  for  another  passage  ?  and  where  find  a 
captain  and  owner  who  will  take  me  ?  And  if  I  go  to  New 
Orleans  with  a  view  to  pass  thence  to  you,  the  passage  is 
as  long  as  from  London,  and  the  same  difficulties  in  finding 
one. 

9, 10, 11.  Out  for  a  box  of  Anderson's  pills,  of  which  swal- 
lowed four,  the  cr.  tar.  having  done  nothing;  but  no  food  or 
drink.  I  was  noway  relieved.  I  gave  D.  M.  R.  some  in- 
structions about  his  own  affair,  enjoined  on  him  to  call  on  me 
at  eleven  the  next  day.  I  did  nothing  for  myself  except,  with 
the  advice  of  my  hostess,  to  apply  to  my  face  common  salt, 
heated,  and  put  in  a  flannel  sack.  She  repeated  this  for 
me  several  times,  and  the  jaw  pain  was  evidently  relieved 
by  it,  but  the  other  evils  were  aggravated.  Forgot  to  say 
that,  on  Sunday  evening,  I  did  try,  though  without  any  good 
effect,  rum,  pepper,  and  toasted  bread,  and  this  was  the  rea- 
son of  my  buying  such  an  enormous  quantity  of  rum.  Had 
my  bed  warmed,  and  turned  in,  without  undressing,  at  eleven. 
Lay  in  all  sorts  of  torment  till  five,  and  then  slept  tolerably 
about  two  hours.  Was  waked  by  my  physic  at  seven. 
Slept  two  hours  more,  and  got  up  with  much  headache  still, 
but  otherwise  greatly  relieved.  The  physic  operated  abun- 
dantly. Sent  out  for  two  ounces  of  tea,  one  shilling ;  half  a 
pound  of  loaf  sugar,  sixpence ;  one  pound  of  rice,  fourpence. 
It  grieved  me  to  find  rice  retailed  at  fourpence.  Took  a  dish 
of  tea  at  ten,  but  without  gout.  D.  M.  R.  called  at  eleven. 
He  had  got  the'four  guineas,  that  is,  four  pound-bills  and  four 
shillings,  for  not  a  bit  of  gold  sees  light  here.  I  took  one  half 
and  gave  him  the  other,  and  sent  him  off  to  meet  Combes 
for  me,  with  a  written  power  and  instructions.  He  went, 
met  Combes  punctually,  and  brought  me  the  consoling  news 


OF   AARON    BURR.  299 

that  he  (C.)  will  not  leave  town  till  Friday,  and  engaged  him 
to  meet  me  at  Graves's  at  twelve  to-morrow.  When  I  got  up 
this  morning  I  found  the  swelling  of  the  face  surprisingly  en- 
larged. The  under  lip,  to  speak  correctly,  one  inch  thick ; 
the  upper  not  at  all  enlarged  ;  the  left  eye  closed ;  and  having 
prudently  taken  out  Fonzi's  ratelier,  and  not  being  able  to  get 
it  in  again,  I  might  have,  in  this  disguise,  traversed  the  Uni- 
ted States  without  being  recognised.  At  four  swallowed 
two  spoonfuls  of  rice,  which  increased  the  headache.  Re- 
solved to  take  nothing  more  till  I  have  an  appetite;  but  have 
bought  me  certain  ingredients  with  which,  and  sugar  and  an 
orange,  I  shall  make  a  draught  at  going  to  bed  ;  but  this 
morning  thought  of  Matt's  salve  ;  bought  the  materials,  made 
the  salve  secundum  artem,  and  applied  it.  It  has  kept  a 
great  throbbing,  so  that  I  am  a  little  uneasy  lest  I  should 
find  in  the  morning  a  suppuration  on  the  outside.  What  a 
pretty  thing  for  me  to  run  about  with,  and  run  about  I  must. 

About  nine  this  evening,  for  the  first  time  since  Saturday,  I 
had  the  force  and  the  courage  to  open  my  writing-case  to 
tell  you  my  tale,  and  have  been  writing  to  you  at  intervals 
ever  since  (now  crying  twelve) ;  have  also  made  my  sage 
tea,  and  now  will  prepare  the  draught  and  go  to  bed.  This 
talk  with  you  has  done  me  more  good  than  all  my  quackeries. 
Have  just  been  inspecting  the  face.  The  swelling  has  di- 
mished  one  half,  and  the  headache  is  now  slight.  Two  days' 
silence  under  such  monotonous  circumstances  may  well  lead 
you  to  suspect  something  extraordinary ;  and  for  once,  and 
for  the  first  time  in  your  life,  you  are  right ;  Gamp,  has  been 
sick,  if  you  can  call  sick  what  I  will  relate. 

While  writing  last,  which  was  early  on  Saturday  evening, 
I  felt  some  twinges  of  a  toothache.  It  increased  till  I  went 
to  bed,  and  through  the  night,  I  lay,  or  rather  tossed  about 
without  rest  till  daylight,  and  then  got  up  and  set  about 
making  my  fire.  After  working  an  hour  in  vain,  the  good 
lady  got  up  and  assisted  me.  The  pain  continuing  and  the 
face  swollen,  had  no  appetite  and  prepared  no  breakfast. 


300  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

Being  engaged  to  meet  Captain  Combes  at  twelve  on  that 
day  (Sunday)  at  Graves's  house,  I  set  out  at  eleven,  and, 
walking  slowly,  got  there  by  the  time.  Waited  an  hour, 
but  he  came  not,  which  disturbed  me  a  good  deal ;  for,  if  I 
do  not  go  with  him  to  New-Orleans,  which  is  pretty  much 
decided,  I  have  a  right  in  law  and  conscience  to  reclaim  my 
passage-money,  he  having  changed  his  original  destination 
without  consulting  me.  If  he  should  go  off  without  paying 
me,  it  would  be  a  deadly  blow ;  hence  my  solicitude. 
While  I  was  waiting  came  in  J.  Bentham's  lad  with  a  note, 
apologizing  for  the  disappointments  of  the  preceding  day, 
and  entreating,  as  an  evidence  of  the  continuance  of  my 
good-will,  that  I  would  come  that  day.  There  was  no  refu- 
sing under  pretence  of  illness,  as  I  was  then  half  a  league 
from  home.  T  replied  gayly,  and  that  I  would  go.  Note : 
there  was  no  fire  in  the  room  in  which  I  sat  at  G.'s,  nor  was 
I  asked  into  one  in  which  there  was,  though  he  had  notice 
of  the  rendezvous  I  had  there.  Then  to  J.  H.'s,  where  sat 
half  an  hour,  and  then  on  to  J.  Bentham's,  intending  there  to 
do  something  for  my  jaws.  Got  there  at  two.  He  dined 
at  half  past  five.  In  settling  an  account  with  K.,  there  was 
two  shillings  and  sixpence  coming  to  me,  which  he  paid,  and 
with  it  I  bought  half  a  pint  of  rum,  though  I  had  no  idea, 
when  I  sent  for  it,  what  would  be  the  cost.  The  rum  and 
roasting  my  feet  relieved  me  a  little.  I  read  and  copied  J. 
Mills's  letter  to  Miranda,  which  shall  be  explained  hereafter. 
(Verbally,  I  mean.)  I  have  yielded  in  this  affair  to  the  be- 
nevolent intentions  and  good-nature  of  J.  Bentham,  against 
my  judgment  and  my  inclination.  Ate  a  little  rice  and 
sweetmeats,  and  drank  a  little  very  weak  wine  and  water. 
Off  at  seven  and  home.  To  my  great  surprise  and  joy, 
found  that  my  landlady,  seeing  that  I  was  out  of  coal  and 
candles,  had  bought  and  paid  for  a  supply  of  both  without 
my  orders.  It  was  fortunate  she  did  so,  for  I  should  not 
have  had  the  courage  to  ask  for  either.  It  was  consoling,  too, 
to  find  that  my  credit  was  so  good.  Made  me  a  dish  of  tea 


OF  AARON  BURR.  301 

with  the  very  last  grain  of  my  tea,  and  swallowed  three 
cups.  Wished  for  sage  and  elix.  pareg..  which  together 
would  have  cost  fivepence;  but,  with  my  two  farthings, 
nothing  could  be  bought.  Went  early  to  bed.  Lay  all 
night  in  misery ;  not  merely  the  jaw  pain,  but  a  nervous 
restlessness  much  more  distressing.  Got  up  again  at  day- 
light, and  was  up  an  hour  roving  round  the  room,  and  occa- 
sionally tumbling  on  the  bed,  before  any  one  came  in.  Had, 
withal,  a  nausea,  which  prevented  me  from  attempting 
breakfast.  But,  finding  a  little  crem.  tart.,  made  a  glass 
with  sugar  and  water,  and,  having  taken  it,  tied  a  handker- 
chief round  my  face,  and  went  forth  at  twelve  to  Graves's, 
to  see  if  anything  had  been  heard  of  Captain  Combes  ;  for 
I  had  a  dread  that  he  meant  to  give  me  the  slip,  for  which 
he  is  not  a  whit  too  good.  My  face  was  now  enormously 
swollen,  and  the  pain  increased.  Arrived  at  G.'s,  I  was 
so  exhausted  that  it  was  with  difficulty  I  could  get  up  stairs. 
The  captain  had  not  been  there  nor  been  heard  of.  I  wrote 
him  a  note,  appointing  peremptorily  to  call  at  twelve  the 
next  day  (Tuesday).  Wrote  another  to  D.  M.  R.,  asking 
him  to  call  on  me ;  for  it  is  only  to  him  and  the  Godwins 
that  my  name  and  residence  are  known.  Left  the  notes 
with  Graves  to  be  forwarded,  and  went  off  to  J.  Sm/s;  for 
it  is  he  that  has  chartered  the  ship,  though,  well  knowing 
how  interesting  it  was  to  me,  he  never  told  me.  I  had  no 
doubt  of  learning  from  him  the  certainty  of  the  movements 
of  the  captain.  He  was  out,  as  was  said ;  so  I  got  nei- 
ther information  nor  repose,  and  now  I  was  at  least  two 
miles  from  home.  It  presently  became  manifest  that  my 
force  would  not  hold  out.  My  legs  refused  their  office  ;  my 
knees  trembled,  and  my  head  became  dizzy,  so  that  I  was 
each  moment  in  danger  of  falling  and  being  run  over. 
Passed  many  hack-coaches,  but  durst  not  engage  one.  It 
did  not  then  occur  to  me,  that,  by  giving  a  silk  pocket-hand- 
kerchief which  I  had,  they  would  have  jumped  at  it.  By 
resting  frequently  on  the  steps  of  the  houses,  I  got  home 


302  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

about  four,  and  threw  myself  on  the  bed,  chilled  to  the  very 
bone,  and  no  fire.  Before  I  got  home,  a  proper  megrin  came 
on  and  acted  its  part  with  all  fury.  I  now  suspected  that 
something  more  was  in  question  than  pain  in  jaw  and  me- 
grin ;  for  neither  or  both  could  have  diminished  my  force 
at  such  a  rate.  But  what  the  d — 1  it  could  be  I  could  not 
imagine.  At  five  D.  M.  R.  came  in.*  I  could  hear,  but 
could  not  reply.  He  was  in  the  utmost  distress.  For  six 
weeks  he  had  been  worrying  Gilpin,  his  associate  in  the 
shoe-business,  for  accounts  which  had  been  long  due,  D. 
M.  R.  not  doubting  but  there  would  be  at  least  1000  guin- 
eas coming  to  him  (and  I  am  sure  more  than  double  that  is 
really  due  to  him ;  but  having  seen  that  Gilpin,  and  being 
impressed  with  an  opinion  that  he  was  a  consummate  ras- 
cal, did  all  I  could  to  temper  D.  M.  R.'s  expectations.  But, 
being  his  only  hope,  he  stuck  to  it).  He  had  that  morning 
got  the  accounts,  by  which  Gilpin  makes  him  (D.  M.  R.) 
debtor  1400  pounds  !  This  was  a  death-blow  to  my  poor 
friend.  It  roused  me  so  far  as  to  give  him  some  words  of 
comfort ;  and,  as  he  had  not  dined,  and  I  had  cold  meat,  or- 
dered some  potatoes  to  be  boiled,  and  lay  down,  leaving  him 
to  dine.  He  had  not  seen  Hall,  but,  having  twenty-five  shil- 
lings, advanced  me  twenty-one  of  them. 

12.  I  am  never  at  a  loss  to  know  Wednesday,  for  it  is  my 
payday,  and  comes  in  terror.  The  bill  was  a  heavy  one. 
Six  shillings  and  sevenpence  halfpenny  in  contingencies,  be- 
sides eight  shillings  lent,  and  the  one  shilling  and  sixpence 
to  my  little  menagere.  It  was  all  paid,  and  I  have  left 
twenty-eight  shillings  and  ninepence,  which  I  hope  will 
carry  me  through  next  Wednesday.  We  shall  see. 

My  draught  had  none  of  the  good  effects  which  were 
hoped.  Couche  at  one.  Lay  vigil  till  five ;  but  then  had 
a  good  refreshing  sleep  till  ten.  Woke  free  of  pain,  but  the 
jaw  excessively  tender  and  sore.  Still  much  swollen.  It 
will  break  inside,  and  I  hope  to-night.  Took  one  dish  of 
coffee,  but  could  eat  nothing,  for  I  cannot  get  the  thickness 


OF    AARON    BURR.  303 

of  a  quill  into  my  mouth  without  great  pain.  Fortunately, 
had  no  appetite.  Went  at  twelve  to  Graves's  to  meet  the 
captain.  A  huge  plaster  on  my  face  and  a  handkerchief 
tied  over.  The  captain  came.  We  talked  an  hour.  He 
offers  to  pay  my  passage  from  Orleans  to  the  Atlantic  coast, 
and  to  give  me  every  accommodation  to  New-Orleans  in 
the  Vigilant,  but  refuses  peremptorily  to  repay  anything. 
He  did,  indeed,  offer  £10,  which  I  treated  with  contempt. 
Thus  it  seems  I  shall  get  nothing  from  him  but  at  the  end 
of  a  lawsuit.  The  thing  is  not  a  little  embarrassing.  By 
going  to  New-Orleans  I  may  go  plump  into  a  hornet's  nest ; 
and  it  is  possible  that  I  might  find  it  my  best  port  if  their 
form  of  government  and  their  rulers  have  been  changed ; 
but  how  this  is  we  here  are  utterly  ignorant.  I  have  been 
ruminating  on  this  the  whole  evening,  without  being  able  to 
come  to  any  conclusion ;  for  an  age  of  ruminating  won't 
furnish  me  with  a  new  fact. 

Got  home  at  three  not  the  least  fatigued,  though  since 
Monday,  when  I  had  nearly  fainted  on  the  way,  I  have  not 
taken  two  ounces  of  any  kind  of  food.  So  little  does 
strength  depend  on  the  nourishment  taken  by  the  mouth. 
Besides  ruminating,  I  have  been  copying  all  that  long  letter 
which  I  wrote  you  on  the  6th.  Shall  to-morrow  make 
some  additions,  and  have  a  good  opportunity  to  send  it  on 
Saturday. 

Poor  D.  M.  R.  begs  and  entreats  me  not  to  go.  Offers 
me  any  share  in  his  projects  if  I  will  stay,  &c.,  &c.  I  really 
fear  he  will  hang  himself  if  I  do  go ;  but  as  it  is  quite  cer- 
tain that  you'll  hang  yourself  if  I  don't  go,  staying  on  his 
account  is  out  of  question.  We  will  ponder  farther.  The 
captain  and  I  are  to  meet  for  the  last  time  to-morrow 
evening. 

13.  Had  a  few  hours  good  sleep  this  morning,  and  rose  at 
nine.  The  jaws  are  something  worse,  i.  e.,  more  sore. 
The  inflammation  has  gone  from  the  upper  part  of  the  face 
and  is  concentred  in  the  lower.  Matter  has  there  formed 


304  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

and  must  be  discharged;  but  when  I  know  not,  and  I  am 
weary,  weary  of  the  res  raints  and  confinement.  To  make 
the  thing  worse,  I  am  as  hungry  as  a  wolf,  and  can  eat  no- 
thing. This  morning  it  took  me  an  hour  to  get  down  a  bit  of 
soaked  bread,  not  so  big  as  the  palm  of  your  pretty  little 
paw,  managing  it  much  as  I  have  seen  you  do  with  your  boy 
when  he  was  a  year  old ;  no,  three  months  old. 

D.  M.  R.  came  in  about  noon  and  brought  me  the  news, 
which  is,  that  all  the  war-fury  of  our  government  evaporated 
in  about  three  weeks,  and  now  they  are  going  on  their  knees 
to  Great  Britain  to  let  them  have  some  blankets  for  the  sav- 
ages, lest  they  should  cut  all  our  throats.  Ye  gods,  is  this 
my  country  ! 

I  have  been  all  day  finishing  my  letter  to  you,  for  a  very 
little  work  goes  a  great  way  with  me  pending  this  jaw-occu- 
pation. If  it  does  not  break  to-night,  I  will  to-morrow  buy 
a  lancet  and  open  it  to  the  bone,  to  see  what  all  this  disturb- 
ance means.  As  to  employing  a  surgeon  and  giving  him  a 
guinea !  not  I,  as  ye  may  suppose. 

I  had  appointed  to  meet  my  captain  this  evening  at  seven, 
at  Graves's.  Went  sorely  against  my  will,  for  every  step  cost 
me  a  twinge,  which,  in  three  miles,  makes,  pray,  how  many, 
Master  'Pillo  ?  But  there  was  possibility  of  neglecting  the 
rendezvous,  as  he  was  to  go  to-morrow,  and  I  apprehended 
that  the  news  just  arrived  might  have  affected  his  plans. 
He  came  in  a  little  more  drunk  than  usual ;  told  me  at  once 
that  he  had  given  up  the  New-Orleans  voyage,  and  was  going 
straight  on  to  Bath ;  and  asked  me  to  go  and  take  a.bottle 
of  wine  with  him,  which,  you  may  presume,  was  declined. 
He  sat  about  half  an  hour,  and  we  went  out  together.  As 
we  were  walking  in  the  street,  "Why,"  said  he,  stopping 
short,  "  didn't  I  say  that  I  was  going  to  Bath  ?"  "  Certainly 
you  did."  "Why,  it's  no  such  thing;  I  have  signed  and 
sealed  a  charter-party  with  J.  Smith,  and  I  shall  go,  but 
sha'n't  leave  town  till  some  time  next  week ;  now  do  go  with 
me." 


OF   AARON    BURR.  305 

What  to  gather  from  all  this  passes  me  ;  but  I  am  inclined 
to  think  he  will  not  go  to  New-Orleans,  for  the  recent  news 
renders  the  project  of  J.  Smith  silly  and  ruinous,  and  I  think 
he  had  better  pay  £1000  to  be  off.  I  feel  quite  sure,  how- 
ever, that,  under  these  circumstances,  Combes  will  not  leave 
town  for  some  days. 

My  hostess,  who  is  very  kind,  has  just  proposed  to  make 
me  mutton-broth.  Bought  one  and  a  quarter  pounds  mutton 
at  ninepence,  equal  elevenpence  one  farrhing ;  onions,  two- 
pence ;  celery,  twopence.  Now  ten  o'clock.  In  one  hour  my 
broth  will  be  ready.  Half  past  twelve ;  I  have  eaten  my 
broth,  a  whole  pint  bowl  full.  It  was  very  good,  and  I  ate  it 
all  with  a  teaspoon.  The  hunk  of  meat  was  also  put  on  the 
table,  and  I  feel  appetite  enough  to  eat  all  that  too.  But  it 
would  be  a  vain  attempt  to  get  down  one  ounce  of  it ;  there- 
fore, let  it  lay  over  till  this  vile  bulb  breaks.  I  have  been 
examining  it,  and  find  the  top  quite  soft.  Hope  that  this 
night  will  finish  it.  I  apply  roasted  figs,  as  poor  Barton 
used  to  do ;  and  now,  before  bedding,  I  have  a  letter  to  write 
for  D.  M.  R.  to  a  certain  lord. 

14.  Morning,  I  hasten  to  tell  my  dear  Theo.  that  I  am 
perfectly  well,  for  I  know  how  impatient  you  are  to  hear. 
That  letter  for  D.  M.  R.  kept  me  up  till  two.  The  thing 
went  on  slowly,  by  reason  of  the  uneasiness  in  my  face  and 
the  constant  attention  which  it  required.  Got  to  bed,  lay 
about  an  hour  very  restless ;  then  the  bulb  broke,  and  an  in- 
conceivable quantity  of  matter  kept  discharging  till  eight  in 
the  morning,  during  all  which  time  not  a  wink  of  sleep  ;  then 
slept  perfectly  sound  till  near  twelve.  Have  just  got  up, 
and  write  this  while  my  breakfast  is  preparing,  and  I  have  a 
tiger's  appetite.  The  swelling  is  nearly  gone,  and  no  pain. 

Continued  at  night,  the  usual  hour.  D.  M.  R.  came  in  at 
two  with  a  lancet,  which,  fortunately,  was  now  useless.  Read 
the  letter  with  great  approbation ;  told  me  the  news  of  the 
day,  and,  as  he  agreed  to  stay  to  dinner,  got  a  true  Virginia 
dinner,  cabbage  and  bacon,  to  which  we  both  did  great  jus- 


306  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

tice,  The  mutton  of  yesterday,  too,  came  under  contribu- 
tion. We  drank  toast  and  water.  I  wrote  notes  to  A.  and 
to  M.  J.  G.  The  latter  D.  M.  R.  left  at  its  address,  and  was  to 
put  the  other  in  the  postoffice.  Presently  came  in  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Godwin,  who  had  not  heard  of  my  illness  till  the  receipt 
of  my  note.  They  brought  me  the  newspapers  for  the  last 
six  days,  and  sat  an  hour.  I  asked  madame  how  the  weather 
was ;  very  cold,  indeed,  said  she.  No,  said  M.,  it  is  quite 
sultry ;  so  she  drew  her  chair  close  to  the  fire,  and  he  re- 
moved to  the  farthest  part  of  the  room.  Since  they  went 
have  had  my  coffee  and  been  reading  the  newspapers.  Have 
put  in  Fonzi's  set  of  teeth,  and  find  the  jaw  perfectly  well. 
With  my  temperate  habits,  how  is  it  possible  such  a  quan- 
tity of  corruption  could  have  been  generated.  Since  fifteen 
years  old  I  never  recollect  to  have  had  the  smallest  quantity 
of  matter  formed  in  any  part,  of  my  body.  If  I  wound  my- 
self, it  gets  well  without  festering.  I  am  thinking  it  must 
.be  that  cursed  ale,  of  which  I  have  drank  about  a  pint  a  day 
for  the  last  four  months.  The  beers  of  this  country  are  no 
longer  made  of  malt  and  hops,  but  a  dozen  of  deleterious 
drugs  enter  into  the  composition.  Depend  I  shall  be  a  little 
more  cautious  of  the  Messrs.  Ale  and  Porter.  No  commu- 
nication with  the  captain  to-day.  To-morrow,  if  the  weather 
be  tolerable,  I  shall  seek  him.  Captain  Hipkins,  master  of 
the  vessel  bound  to  Norfolk,  by  which  I  am  writing  to  you, 
does  not  leave  town  till  Monday ;  so  shall  keep  your  letter 
open,  lest  something  to  add  should  occur.  Oh,  let  me  tell 
you  what  you  will  thank  me  for.  I  have  this  day  resumed, 
and  propose  to  continue  the  custom,  of  writing  my  little 
notes  with  the  stylograph,  so  that  you  will  see  them  all,  and 
they  will  be  much  better  worth  perusal  than  this  journal. 

15.  I  have  got  into  very  bad  habits.  Last  night  again  sat 
up  till  past  two  reading  the  newspapers.  It  is  with  such  re- 
luctance I  go  to  bed,  that  any  excuse  serves  for  sitting  up. 
As  usual,  lay  awake  till  five,  and  then  slept  till  eleven.  After 
hewing  off  a  week's  beard  and  getting  breakfast,  it  was  too 


OF  AARON  BURR.  307 

late  for  a  hope  of  finding  the  captain  at  home  ;  so  gave  that 
up.  D.  M.  R.  came  in  at  two  and  sat  an  hour.  Nothing 
new,  only  another  letter  for  me  to  write  for  him.  At  three 
to  J.  H.'s.  Out.  Had  only  time  to  get  to  G.'s,  where  dined. 
In  the  evening,  William,  the  only  son  of  W.  Godwin,  a  lad  of 
about  nine  years  old,  gave  his  weekly  lecture ;  having  heard 
how  Coleridge  and  others  lectured,  he  would  also  lecture ; 
and  one  of  his  sisters  (Mary,  I  think)  writes  a  lecture,  which 
he  reads  from  a  little  pulpit  which  they  have  erected  for 
him.  He  went  through  it  with  great  gravity  and  decorum. 
The  subject  was,  "  The  influence  of  governments  on  the 
character  of  a  people."  After  the  lecture  we  had  tea,  and 
the  girls  sang  and  danced  an  hour ;  and  at  nine  came  home. 
Will  positively  go  to  bed  at  one  to-night,  and  try  to  get  up 
at  seven.  Mem. — Drank  wine  and  water  at  dinner,  and  this 
evening  toast  and  water. 

16.  No  reformation.  I  did  actually  go  to  bed  a  little  after 
one,  and,  to  promote  sleep,  took  a  teaspoonful  of  elix.  pare- 
gor. ;  but  all  in  vain.  Lay  in  vigils  till  near  six,  and,  day- 
light beginning  to  appear,  was  thinking  of  getting  up  and 
making  my  fire,  when  1  got  asleep  and  slept  sound  till  half 
past  ten.  It  was  again  too  late  to  hope  of  finding  my  cap- 
tain at  home,  so  gave  it  up  again  till  to-morrow.  Sor.  at 
twelve  to  J.  H.'s.  Out.  Went  to  her  brother's,  where  met 
her,  and  agreed  on  rendezvous  at  her  rooms  at  two.  Then 
to  A.'s.  Out.  Across  the  park  to  J.  B.'s,  hoping  to  find 
there  a  letter  from  Lord  Balgray ;  but  there  was  none.  Met 
Koe,  and  asked  about  A. ;  he  said  she  had  been  there  yes- 
terday. The  truth  is,  she  was  then  there.  I  saw  her  walk- 
ing in  the  garden,  and  she  and  K.  had  a  talk  just  under  the 
window  where  I  was  at  work  getting  something  out  of  my 
trunks  ;  but  she,  and  her  female  friend  who  was  with  her, 
went  to  examine  a  small  house  of  J.  B.'s  which  is  in  the 
garden.  The  house  is  now  out  of  repair,  but  was  formerly 
occupied  by  his  mother.  He  has  offered  to  fit  it  up  if  A. 
will  live  in  it.  Not  a  word  was  said  to  me  by  any  one  of 


308  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

her  being  then  there;  and  neither  J.  B.  nor  any  one  of  his 
family  have  hinted  to  me  this  arrangement  about  the  house 
au  jardin.  But  A.  is  pretty  frank  with  me  as  yet.  To  J.  H.'s 
at  two.  We  walked  a  great  deal.  Dined  at  a  neat  little  cake 
and  jelly  house  in  Holborn.  Walked  again,  and  took  coffee 
at  the  same  house ;  and  we  were  both  Ires  content.  The 
whole  expense  was  seven  shillings  and  threepence.  Now 
I  do  hope  and  expect  that  I  shall  sleep  to-night  and  rise  be- 
times in  the  morning.  Have  nothing  to  add  to  your  letter, 
unless  something  should  arise  out  of  my  conversation  with 
the  captain.  Am  now  going  to  try  to  write  that  letter  for 
D.  M.  R.  Tried  last  night,  but  could  not  please  myself. 
No  frost  the  last  ten  days. 

17.  The  reformation  is  accomplished.  Couche  at  one. 
Lay  vigil  till  three.  Slept  perfectly  sound  till  seven  ;  then 
rose,  and  was  proceeding  to  make  my  fire,  when  my  hotesse 
came  in  and  relieved  me  from  that  labour.  Shaved,  dressed, 
and  breakfasted,  and  was  out  before  nine.  You  see  the  cure 
was  effectual.  To  Graves's,  where  found  a  note  from  A. ; 
rather  a  cold,  forced  thing.  Then  on  to  the  captain's.  Found 
him  in  the  act  of  packing  up,  and  in  half  an  hour  he  would 
have  been  off,  and  I  should  have  missed  of  him  altogether. 
Have  resolved  to  go  with  him.  Took  of  him  £5.  He  is 
gone  to  Yarmouth,  but  will  not  sail  these  ten  days.  He  re- 
lated to  me  that  Mr.  Beaseley,  who  acts  as  consul  of  the 
United  States  here,  charged  him  by  no  means  to  take  Col. 
Burr  to  New-Orleans.  "  Take  him  anywhere  else  you 
please,  but  by  no  means  to  New-Orleans ;  if  you  do,  you 
will  incur  the  utmost  displeasure  of  the  government,  and 
may  be  made  to  suffer  for  it."  The  captain  says  he  replied 
that  he  did  not  care  a  damn  about  the  government  of  the 
United  States  ;  that  he  would  take  whom  he  pleased  ;  and 
that,  if  Col.  Burr  wished  to  go,  he  would  be  very  glad  to 
have  him.  I  suspect  that  the  greater  part  of  this  is  true. 
To  the  Virginia  Coffee-house  to  see  when  Hipkins  would 
go,  and  found  he  would  go  at  six  this  evening  ;  so  hastened 


OF    AARON    BURR.  309 

home  to  close  your  letter  and  put  it  into  his  hands.  Got 
home  at  one,  and  had  then  walked  about  eight  miles.  Mist, 
rain,  and  a  tempest  of  wind.  Felt  a  sort  of  inanition,  which 
my  good  hotesse  cured  by  a  bowl  of  excellent  soup.  Hav- 
ing added  a  postscript  of  this  date  to  your  letter,  to  let  you 
see  that  I  was  living  on  this  day,  enclosed  it  to  Graves. 
Called  at  Godwin's,  and  sent  his  shopboy  with  it.  Sat  half 
an  hour  at  G.'s,  and  then  on  to  hunt  Bonnell,  the  enameller, 
but  could  not  find  the  house  ;  the  direction  given  me  must 
be  wrong.  I  want  him  to  repair  an  injury  which  one  of 
Fonzi's  works  has  sustained.  Then  to  Dumont's,  Haymar- 
ket,  whom  I  had  not  yet  seen.  He  was  at  home,  and  I  sat 
half  an  hour.  He  is  to  try  to  sell  my  Moreri  and  Bayle ; 
yet  how  precious  they  would  be  at  New-Orleans.  On  to 
J.  Benlham's,  and  dined  at  six  with  good  appetite,  non  ob- 
stante  the  soup.  Immediately  after  dinner  he  always,  when 
I  dine  there,  sends  off  Koe  and  Walter,  that  we  may  be 
tete-ci-tete.  Had  a  very  pleasant  chat  till  eight.  Took  my 
coffee  and  came  off  sooner  than  intended,  on  account  of  a 
note  received  while  there  from  D.  M.  R.,  begging  to  see 
me  this  night.  His  quarters  being  not  far  out  of  my  way, 
called  there ;  handed  him  the  letter  I  had  drawn  for  him, 
and  came  off  at  nine.  He  had  nothing  new  to  relate. 

18.  Rose  at  seven.  You  see  the  reformation  goes  on. 
The  cure  has  been  repeated  to-day  by  way  of  preventative. 
Engaged  yesterday  to  call  on  D.  M.  R.,  to  walk  with  him 
to  Hawkins's,  the  projector  ;  but,  first,  let  me  make  you  bet- 
ter acquainted  with  the  said  D.  M.  R.  He  is  about  sixty 
years  of  age ;  very  healthy  and  active  ;  has  good  sound  sense, 
little  education,  or  little  acquirements.  He  came  to  Eng- 
land about  six  months  before  me,  with  commercial  views, 
having  got  through  his  fortune  in  Virginia.  He  had  very 
good  letters,  being  universally  acknowledged  an  honest  and 
an  honourable  man.  At  the  moment  that  he  supposed  him- 
self in  the  high  road  to  success  and  fortune,  came  on  the 
embargo,  which  put  an  end  to  all  commerce,  and  annihilated 


310  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

his  prospects.  He  then  got  from  the  United  States  Bed- 
ford's patent  for  making  shoes,  and  took  out  a  patent  for  it 
here  ;  but,  for  more  than  a  year,  he  could  get  no  moneyed 
man  to  set  up  the  business  in  that  way.  At  length  W. 
Gilpin,  army  clothier,  agreed  to  try  it,  and  advanced  D.  M. 
R.  £500  for  the  patent  right,  and  half  the  profits.  This 
was  a  very  seasonable  relief,  for  he  was  quite  run  out.  He 
now  thought  he  would  invent  something  himself,  and  turned 
his  mind  to  improvements  in  wheel-carriages.  He  worked 
day  and  night  for  some  months ;  at  length,  thinking  he  had 
hit  it,  and  for  fear  some  one  should  steal  it  from  him,  he 
hastened  to  take  out  a  patent,  and  then  wrote  a  pamphlet; 
but  no  mortal  took  any  notice  of  either.  Being  now  pro- 
ject mad,  one  Adams  having  come  from  the  United  States 
with  a  new  project  for  impelling  boats  by  steam,  D.  M.  R. 
associated  himself  with  this  man ;  bought  half  the  invention 
for  £200,  and  at  this  moment  Adams  dies,  and  the  steam- 
boat and  the  wheel-carriages  sleep  quietly  together ;  but 
D.  M.  R.  had  now  got  rid  of  his  last  farthing.  His  head, 
however,  runs  more  on  wheel-carriages  than  on  all  other 
subjects.  At  least  twenty  times  since  my  return  to  this 
island  he  has  told  me  of  his  having  explained  "  his  princi- 
ples" to  Mr.  Such-a-one,  who  "  was  delighted;"  and  scarce 
a  week  passes  but  he  meets  some  one  who  is  thus  "  delight- 
ed ;"  but,  of  all  these  delighted  people,  not  one  is  disposed 
to  advance  a  penny  to  make  an  experiment  of  "his  princi- 
ples." Whenever  he  gets  on  his  "  wheel-carriages,"  away 
he  goes,  and  the  devil  can't  stop  him.  He  can  hardly  pass 
a  cart  or  carriage  in  the  street  without  stopping  you  or 
calling  your  attention  to  the  amazing  stupidity  and  obstina- 
cy which  prevents  people  from  adopting  his  improvements. 
"  Only  see  how  those  horses  labour  for  nothing  ;  whereas,  if 
that  axletree  was  so  and  so,  and  the  height  of  the  wheels 
so,  and  the  pole  fixed  so,  one  horse  could,  draw  more  than 
those  four  ;  and  the  thing  is  so  demonstrable,"  &c.,  &c. 
Now  from  this  digression  we  come  back  to  ourself. 


OF    AARON    BURR.  311 

Called  on  D.  M.  R.  as  agreed.  Told  the  servant  to  inform 
him  that  I  was  gone  to  his  room.  He  came  in  in  great 
haste  and  in  very  high  spirits.  "  Now,"  says  he,  "  I  have 
something  to  tell  you."  I  concluded  that  he  had  settled 
with  W.  G.  and  got  some  money.  No  such  thing ;  there 
were  in  the  same  hotel  three  gentlemen  from  the  country, 
who  were  about  to  establish  a  new  line  of  stagecoaches ; 
and,  happening  to  converse  with  D.  M.  R.,  they  got  "  de- 
lighted with  his  principles."  So  I  had  to  wait,  for  he  was 
to  be  my  pilot,  till  the  gentlemen  were  gone,  as  he  certainly 
would  talk  to  them  so  long  as  they  would  stay.  I  amused 
myself  reading  in  his  room  till  one,  and  then  we  walked  to 
Hawkins's.  He  was  abroad.  Bought  a  bottle '(vial)  of  his 
essence  of  coffee,  of  which  three  teaspoonfuls  put  in  boiling 
water  makes  a  good  dish.  Have  tried  it  this  evening.  It 
was  pretty  good,  but  would  be  about  four  times  as  dear  as 
the  usual  mode.  Then  to  J.  H.'s.  She  was  at  work,  and 
had  not  dined,  though  past  her  usual  hour.  Invited  her  to 
come  and  dine  with  me,  for  I  had  ordered  a  soup  for  D.  M. 
R.,  who  had  engaged  to  come  ;  but  apologized  that  he  must 
dine  with  his  country  friends  and  talk  of  wheel-carriages. 
Came  home  slowly,  calling  at  several  shops,  but  buying 
nothing  except  a  pair  of  hose-worsted  long  drawers,  which  I 
wanted,  six  shillings ;  for  which  changed  my  five  pound  bill. 
The  shopkeeper  would  not  take  it  unless  I  put  my  name 
and  address  on  it,  which  did  not  much  like ;  but  to  have  re- 
fused would  have  looked  suspicious ;  so  did  it.  Got  home 
at  four,  and  discovered  that  I  had  lost  my  umbrella ;  a  most 
serious  misfortune,  and  little  hope  of  recovering  it,  as  I  have 
no  recollection  where  I  stopped.  It  is  impossible  for  me  to 
buy  one  or  to  do  without  one.  J.  H.  came  at  five,  and  we 
dined.  She  stayed  till  near  eight. 

Have  gone  this  evening  to  Godwin's.  They  are  in 
trouble.  Some  finance  affair.  Cost  three  shillings  to  send 
J.  H.  home  in  a  hack. 

19.  Slept  near  seven  hours  last  night,  and  did  not  rise  till 
VOL.  II.  20 


312  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

eight.  My  umbrella  hung  heavy  at  my  heart.  Went  to 
hunt  for  it.  Walked  back  on  the  track  I  came  from  J.  H.'s 
yesterday,  and  called  at  the  places  I  had  been ;  but  no  um- 
brella. It  is  finally  lost,  and  I  must  submit  to  the  inconve- 
niences of  getting  wet  and  of  spoiling  my  clothes.  Called 
at  Godwin's  on  my  way  to  the  city.  To  friend  Allen's.  He 
was  out,  but  I  saw  the  foreman  of  the  laboratory ;  he  had 
made  the  experiment  I  suggested  to  take  the  bad  smell  out 
of  the  acid.  It  did  effectually  take  out  the  smell,  but,  at  the 
same  time,  it  took  out  the  acid,  and  the  residuum  was  nei- 
ther more  nor  less  than  simple  water.  So  that  won't  do. 

To  Graves's,  where  finished  a  letter  I  began  yesterday  to 
S.  Swarlwout.  D.  M.  R.  came  in  and  took  charge  of  the 
letter,  and  we  walked  together.  He  dined  yesterday  with 
his  country  gentlemen,  and  thinks  they  were  delighted  with 
his  wheel-carriages.  D.  M.  went  to  the  Exchange  (where 
merchants  assemble  at  four  every  day)  to  get  the  news,  and 
I  went  by  Lincoln's  Inn  to  see  K.,  but  he  was  out.  Home 
at  four.  D.  M.  came  in  at  five,  as  agreed,  and  I  had  for  him 
a  Virginia  dinner,  bacon  and  greens,  with  which  he  was  de- 
lighted. He  sat  till  eight ;  and  now  I  am  deliberating  how 
to  dispose  of  the  residue  of  the  evening.  Bought  for  J.  H. 
to-day  paper,  pen,  wax,  wafers,  &c.,  four  shillings  and  six- 
pence. Have  paid  my  weekly  bill  this  evening,  fourteen 
shillings  six  and  three  quarter  pence,  which  includes  lodg- 
ing, milk,  fuel,  boot  and  shoe  cleaning ;  but  no  washing  this 
week. 

20.  It  has  already  struck  one,  and  I  must  be  early  up,  as 
you  know ;  and  yet,  you  couple  of  unreasonable  rascals,  I 
may  not  go  to  bed  till  I  have  told  you  what  I  have  been 
about.  It  might  be  answered  in  one  word,  "  Nothing,"  as 
for  days  and  years  past,  though  I  have  walked  to-day  near 
twenty  miles. 

To  J.  Smith's  at  ten,  to  inquire  about  the  sailing  of  the 
Vigilant.  He  had  the  impudence  to  tell  me  that  he  knew 
nothing  about  it,  nor  even  knew  whether  the  captain  was  in 


OF    AARON    BURR.  313 

London  or  in  Yarmouth,  though  he  (J.  S.)  had  chartered 
the  ship  ;  though  the  captain  receives  orders  from  him  only  ; 
was  at  his  house  all  the  morning  of  the  day  of  his  separa- 
tion, and  went  from  his  house  to  the  coach-office.  It  is 
plain  that  I  shall  miss  the  ship  and  lose  my  money.  Then 
to  Graves's,  and  we  walked  together  to  see  the  inventor  of 
the  new  mode  of  travelling,  by  which  one  is  to  go  a  mile  a 
minute.  He  talked  freely,  and  gave  us  each  one  of  his 
pamphlets.  Then  home,  following  again  the  track  of  my 
poor  lost  umbrella,  but  to  no  purpose.  Home,  and  got  my 
potatoes  as  fast  as  I  could,  and  then  to  call  on  Miss  C.,  who 
wrote  me  that  she  would  leave  town  to-morrow.  Was  de- 
nied, but  it  happened  that  I  knew  she  was  at  home.  To 
walk  a  league  and  more  to  be  denied  is  not  pretty.  Be- 
sides, I  was  tired,  and  would  gladly  have  reposed  half  an 
hour.  Then  to  J.  Bentham's  ;  being  past  six,  had  to  go  all 
round  by  Westminster  Abbey.  There  saw  K.,  who  showed 
me  the  retorts  which  they  offer  to  lend  me.  They  will  an- 
swer. Did  not  see  J.  B.,  nor  was  asked  to  tea.  Forgot  to 
say  that  I  called  this  morning  on  friend  Allen.  My  sug- 
gestion for  getting  rid  of  the  smell  has  completely  suc- 
ceeded, with  one  little  inconvenience,  however ;  at  the  same 
time  that  it  takes  away  the  smell,  it  completely  takes  away 
the  acid,  and  comes  forth  fair  water ;  so  that  won't  do. 
Have  had  my  coffee,  and  now  good-morning.  Called  also 
to-day  on  Gonner,  the  enameller. 

21.  Was  obliged  to  wait  till  ten  for  Castella,  but  he  came 
not.  To  D.  M.  R.'s,  with  whom  had  engaged  to  walk  to- 
day to  BrunelPs,  Chelsea.  Found  D.  M.  in  bed.  He  had 
received  a  note  from  Brunell,  saying  he  could  not  receive 
us,  being  engaged,  but  appointed  to-morrow.  I  was  very 
glad,  and  shall  not  go  to-morrow.  Called  on  J.  H.,  who  is 
near  Soho  Square,  and  sat  half  an  hour.  Then  to  Gonner';, 
the  enameller ;  he  had  done  nothing.  Then  by  Godwin's, 
where  stopped  a  few  minutes.  To  friend  Allen's.  He  pro- 
poses that  I  should  bring  the  glass  retorts  from  J.  B.'s,  and 


314  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

come  and  work  myself  in  his  laboratory ;  all  which  will  be 
done  to-morrow.  To  Graves's,  where  read  the  gazettes  an 
hour.  Home ;  having  bought  a  pound  of  rice  on  the  way, 
dined  on  a  part  of  it,  plain  boiled ;  added  sugar.  For  the  last 
eight  days  have  drank  toast  and  water.  Found  here  note 
from  D.  M.  R.,  enclosing  a  letter  he  had  just  received  from 
Gilpin.  D.  M.  came  in  at  five  ;  but,  having  just  breakfasted, 
would  not  dine.  Very  lucky,  for  I  had  rice  only.  While 
at  Graves's  to-day,  wrote  a  letter  to  Sheffield,  mate  of  the 
Vigilant,  desiring  that  he  would  inform  me  of  their  time  of 
sailing.  Though  I  have  strong  objections  to  going  to  New- 
Orleans,  yet  no  alternative  is  seen  but  that  or  staying  here. 
If  I  should  think  of  residing  permanently  here,  I  could 
readily  find  the  means  of  support.  But  I  prefer  to  have  my 
throat  cut  nearer  you. 

Yesterday  arrived  the  British  packet,  in  nineteen  days 
from  New- York,  and  to-day  an  American  ship  in  fifteen 
days.  Every  arrival  makes  me  sad  to  reflect  that  I  can  have 
no  letters,  having  interdicted  you  from  writing.  How  many 
things  may  have  happened  to  you.  I  have  often  the  most 
gloomy  apprehensions.  D.  M.  lent  me  a  Boston  paper  of 
thirtieth  January,  containing  Gallatin's  report,  which  have 
been  reading. 

22.  A  bad,  bad  day.  My  hopes  of  being  soon  in  New- 
Orleans,  or  elsewhere  in  the  United  States,  have  vanished. 
A  letter  this  day  received  from  the  captain  says  that  he 
has  been  warned  at  his  peril,  by  the  consul  at  Yarmouth, 
too  (Mr.  Williams),  not  to  take  me  on  board,  and  that  he  is 
afraid,  and  must  refuse  me  a  passage.  I  have  so  little  con- 
fidence in  the  captain's  veracity,  that  no  conclusion  can  be 
formed  as  to  the  truth  of  his  statement.  No  doubt,  how- 
ever, but  Williams  has  interfered ;  but  that  interference  may 
possibly  have  been  prompted  by  the  captain  himself,  or  by 
J.  S.  Russell  is  full  of  malevolence,  and,  being  now  charge 
d'affaires  here,  may,  perhaps,  be  the  author  of  it  all.  Yet 
how  it  has  been  produced  is  to  me  of  no  consequence; 


OF   AARON    BURR.  315 

me  voici  sans  sous  et  sans  ami.  Did  I  tell  you,  I  think 
not,  that  four  or  five  days  ago,  having  heard  from  Dumont 
that  Achaud  was  in  town,  I  called  on  him  (A.),  left  rny  card, 
and  also  a  very  civil  note  of  apology  for  not  having  called 
sooner,  having  understood  that  he  was  at  Geneva  ?  He  has 
neither  returned  the  visit  nor  answered  the  note.  But  let 
us  go  regularly  and  chronologically  through  the  day. 

I  had  intended  to  have  breakfasted  at  J.  B.'s,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  taking  the  retorts  early  to  friend  Allen ;  but,  in  the 
first  place,  I  slept  till  near  nine,  and,  in  the  next,  it  rained  in 
torrents,  and  you  know  my  umbrella  is  on  a  voyage.  At 
eleven  the  rain  slackened  and  I  sallied  out  of  my  den.  To 
Gonnell's,  the  enameller.  He  had  made  the  repairs,  and 
charged  only  two  shillings  and  sixpence.  Then  to  J.  B.'s. 
He  came  down,  and  told  me  the  retorts  were  not  his,  but  his 
brother's,  and  he  dare  not  lend  them  without  consulting  his 
brother,  which  I  begged  him  not  to  do ;  for  that,  if  they 
were  not  his,  I  would  not  take  them.  Found  there  a  letter 
from  Lord  Balgray,  saying  that  he  and  the  lord  chief-justice 
president  had  talked  over  my  concerns,  and  had  agreed  to 
send  an  extract  of  my  letter  to  Lord  Melville,  and,  at  same 
time,  to  tell  him  what  a  clever  fellow  I  was.  It  is  possible 
that,  in  politeness  to  these  gentlemen,  Lord  Melville  may 
invite  me  to  call  on  him,  and  there  the  matter  will  end. 

Round  by  Westminster  and  Blackfriars'  Bridges  to 
Graves's.  The  rain  setting  in  again,  bought  me  the  cheap- 
est umbrella  I  could  find  that  was  large  enough.  Cost  ten 
shillings  and  sixpence.  At  Graves's  found  an  old  letter  from 
Gahn,  which  Graves  had  overlooked,  and  also  this  letter 
from  the  captain.  Intended  to  have  gone  to  friend  Allen's, 
but  thought  necessary  to  come  home  and  reply  immediately 
to  the  captain,  demanding  my  passage-money.  Found  D. 
M.  R.  in  possession  of  my  room,  with  a  fire.  He  wanted 
me  to  help  him  to  reply  to  Gilpin,  which  agreed  to  do,  and 
have  done  this  evening. 

When  at  J.  B.'s  this  morning,  lent  him  the  Boston  paper, 


316  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

which  he  was  to  send  to  me  at  four  this  day.  But,  the  paper 
not  having  come  by  seven,  took  that  long  walk,  full  three 
miles,  and  returning  makes  six,  to  get  the  paper.  Got  it, 
but  did  not  see  J.  B.,  he  being  engaged.  Dinner,  rice  and 
milk,  and  have  had  my  coffee  and  a  smoked  herring. 

23.  Couche  at  one,  but  did  not  sleep  till  three ;  cause, 
took  my  coffee  too  late  and  too  strong.  Having  offered 
Elizabeth,  my  little  meriagere,  sixpence  to  wake  me  and 
have  a  fire  at  half  past  six,  she  was  punctual.  I  rose  and 
had  my  breakfast  at  half  past  seven  ;  and  at  nine  was  at 
Contissi's  workshop.  He  has  been  for  six  weeks  promis- 
ing to  do  a  small  but  necessary  job  to  my  repeater;  and 
he  appointed  this  hour  and  this  day.  He  was  not  there. 
Waited  near  an  hour ;  he  came  not.  Went  to  his  house  at 
ten,  found  him  just  up,  and  complaining  of  indisposition. 

Appointed  two  P.  M.  to-morrow.     Then  to 's,  another 

goldsmith,  with  whom  had  an  appointment  on  similar  busi- 
ness. He  was  still  abed.  To  Dumont's,  Haymarket.  He 
had  informed  me  that  Lord  Lansdown  would  give  ten  guin- 
eas for  my  Bayle,  and  would  also,  probably,  buy  Moreri  at 
fifteen.  I  thought  this  quite  sure;  but  Mr.  D.  informed 
me  that  his  lordship  had  been  otherwise  supplied.  Your 
ribands,  too.  have  been  returned;  not  sold.  The  medal- 
monger  would  pay  for  Gampillo's  medals  and  coins  little 
more  than  the  value  of  the  metal,  which  would  not  be  three 
guineas.  So  my  three  grand  resources  have  failed.  Walked 
over  to  Graves's.  He  had  nothing  to  communicate.  Home, 
and  wrote  another  letter  to  the  captain,  proposing  that  he 
should  take  me  on  board  at  Gravesend,  and  under  a  feigned 
name,  so  that  the  consuls  could  not  know  that  I  had  em- 
barked. Do  not  think  he  will  do  it,  and  am  sure  he  will 
not  pay,  all  which  is  "  very  disagreeable."  There  being  no 
mail  going  out  to-day,  went  to  the  stage-office  to  send  my 
letter  to  the  captain.  The  man  would  not  receive  it  because 
it  weighed  less  than  four  ounces.  Went  and  hunted  in  the 
street  till  I  found  a  stone  weighing  about  a  quarter  of  a  pound ; 


OF    AARON    BURR.  317 

wrapped  that  up  in  the  letter,  and  then  it  was  received. 
The  captain  will  greatly  marvel  at  the  receipt  of  the  stone 
sent  from  London.  At  half  past  three  to  Godwin's.  There 
dined,  and  stayed  till  nine.  The  history  of  M.  Turner,  fils 
d'un  bucher,  lately  married  to  M'lle.  Boinville,  niece  de 
Madame  Frank  Newton.  There  was  only  the  family  and  lit- 
tle Hopwood.  Have  been  reading  the  newspapers  and  the 
pamphlets  which  I  bought  on  the  controversy  between  Lan- 
caster and  Bell,  which  you  shall  read,  to  see  the  gross  big- 
otry which  still  prevails  here. 

24.  Slept  uninterruptedly  till  near  eight.  At  eleven  to 
friend  Allen's,  to  tell  him  of  the  disappointment  about  the 
retorts.  He  very  kindly  said  he  had  some  of  his  own  that 
would  answer.  We  agreed  on  a  further  experiment ;  but 
I  begin  to  think  we  shall  not  succeed  in  any  way  that  will 
be  useful,  i.  e.,  without  an  operation  of  too  much  expense. 
To  Graves's.  Out.  To.  J.  B.'s  to  get  some  things ;  you 
know  that  my  trunks  are  there.  Some  one  called  there  to 
see  me  yesterday,  but  did  not  leave  his  address,  nor  did  they 
inquire.  While  I  was  at  J.  B.'s  in  came  A.,  whom  I  thought 
out  of  town.  We  met  with  the  familiarity  of  old  acquaint- 
ance. Did  not  see  J.  B.  To ,  the  goldsmith,  Princess- 
street,  Leicester  Square,  which  is  set  down  for  myself,  and 
not  for  you,  madame ;  he  has  very  politely  undertaken  to 
repair  another  repeater  for  me.  Then  to  Contissi's  work- 
shop, and  stayed  an  hour  assisting  and  directing  a  small  job. 
Paid  him  three  shillings  and  sixpence.  Home  at  half  past 
four,  and  greatly  surprised  to  find  that  J.  Hug.  had  called. 
Got  my  dinner,  rice  boiled,  and  went  off  to  J.  H.'s  to  see 
what  was  the  matter,  being  greatly  apprehensive  that  there 
was  trouble.  I  was  right.  There  lives  in  the  same  house 
a  fellow  of  the  name  of  Voche  or  Vache,  a  Swiss  engraver, 
who  has  taken  upon  him  to  talk  about  my  visits.  Stayed 
but  a  minute,  and  appointed  J.  to  call  on  me  at  four  to-mor- 
row. I  am  much  concerned  at  this  circumstance.  The  idea 
of  causing  the  least  inconvenience  to  so  good  a  soul  would 


318  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

distress  me.  Called  at  Godwin's  to  leave  the  newspapers 
which  I  borrowed  yesterday,  and  to  get  that  of  to-day.  Les 
goddesses  kept  me  by  acclamation  to  tea  with  La  Printresse 
Hopwood.  I  agreed  to  go  with  the  girls  to  call  on  her  on 
Friday.  Home  at  half  past  nine.  Read  the  newspapers, 
and  a  pamphlet  tolerably  well  written,  explanatory  of  the 
causes  of  the  French  successes.  Be  assured  that,  though 
I  have  said  nothing  about  finance,  my  head  has  not  been 
idle.  I  have  a  project  too  ridiculous  to  be  mentioned,  and 
of  little  promise ;  but  will  tell  you  to-morrow.  I  shall  have 
just  enough  to  pay  my  weekly  bill  the  day  after  to-morrow, 
and  then  be  again  on  the  sans  sous  establishment. 

25.  Rose  as  usual.  Raining  and  blowing  violently.  At 
twelve  to  friend  Allen's.  The  experiment  had  not  yet  been 
made ;  but  Jones,  the  workman  in  the  laboratory,  was  just 
preparing  to  make  it.  To  Joyce's,  a  watchmaker  recom- 
mended by  Allen.  Left  with  him  yesterday  my  silver  re- 
peater, to  be  put  in  order  that  I  may  sell  it ;  but  I  could  not 
learn  from  Mr.  J.  what  he  meant  to  charge  me,  and  now  can- 
not call  for  it  till  I  shall  have  wherewithal  to  pay  for  the  re- 
pairs. To  Graves's,  where  found  a  letter  from  the  captain ; 
a  most  impertinent  letter,  declaring  that  he  will  not  pay  a 
farthing.  To  Godwin's  for  a  few  minutes,  and  borrowed 
two  volumes  of  The  Nairs,  or  the  Rights  of  Women,  by  Law- 
rence. And  now  must  tell  what  was  referred  to  yesterday. 
I  was  so  much  with  Fonzi  at  Paris,  that  I  became  as  good  a 
dentist  as  himself;  and,  on  coming  off,  he  confided  to  me  an 
assortment,  perhaps  one  thousand,  of  teeth  of  his  fabrique. 
I  had  intended  this  for  Greenwood ;  but  it  occurred  to  me 
that  something  might  be  made  of  the  dents  and  my  science 
here.  Have  called  on  three  of  the  most  celebrated  dentists. 
The  first  was  engaged,  and  was  not  seen ;  the  second  was 
engaged,  but  I  saw  him,  and  made  an  appointment  to  call  on 
Saturday  next.  The  third  I  had  a  long  talk  with ;  he  show- 
ed me  his  own  fabrique,  which  I  was  constrained  to  acknowl- 
edge was  fully  equal  to  Fonzi's ;  and,  indeed,  I  think,  for 


OF    AARON    BURR.  319 

beauty,  superior,  but  not  so  solid  ;  he,  however,  held  Fonzi's 
in  contempt,  so  nothing  to  be  done.  To-morrow  will  make 
further  trial.  It  is  unpleasant  and  unpromising.  The  rain 
has  continued  all  day,  which  has  prevented  J.  H.  from  call- 
ing. D.  M.  came  in  at  five  in  a  state  of  extreme  desponden- 
cy. He  ate  bro.  and  caso.,  and  took  coffee,  and  stayed  till 
eight.  I  have  been  all  the  evening  reading  the  "  Nairs."  The 
fellow  has  stolen  a  good  many  of  my  ideas,  but  I  am  glad 
of  it.  The  subject  will  always  be  new  in  my  hands. 

26.  It  is  already  past  one,  my  fire  is  out,  and  the  weather 
cool.  I  have  been  the  whole  evening  reading  the  "  Nairs." 
Shall  finish  it  in  about  three  hours  to-morrow ;  and  then, 
perhaps,  may  give  you  some  account  of  it.  Slept  later  than 
usual  this  morning.  It  is  with  some  effort  that  I  rise  early. 
If  my  fire  was  made  at  six,  I  should  be  always  up  before 
seven  ;  but,  after  having  slept  my  allowance,  five  or  six  hours, 
if  I  lay  longer  there  comes  on  a  drowsiness  and  disposition 
to  slumber  which  is  immoveable,  and  then  the  following 
night  I  lay  sleepless  an  hour  or  two,  and  so  gradually  en- 
croach on  the  morning,  till  I  am  obliged  to  get  back  by  going 
a  whole  night  and  day  without  sleep ;  then  I  am  sure  to  sleep 
as  soon  as  I  lay  down,  though  the  sensation  of  being  sleepy 
is  what  I  am  a  stranger  to,  except  in  a  stagecoach.  At  twelve 
this  morning  to  see  Hawkins,  inventor  of  the  parolic  cement, 
with  which  have  tried  in  vain  to  mend  a  broken  dent.  He 
.was  out.  ThentoA.'s.  Out.  Then  to  J.  Bentham's.  No 
better;  did  not  see  him.  Then  by  Westminster  and  Black- 
friars'  Bridges  to  friend  Allen's,  Plough  Court,  Lombard- 
street.  The  last  experiment  on  the  acid  had  not  succeeded. 
Allen  was  at  dinner.  Left  some  directions  with  James,  and 
then  to  Graves's.  He  had  procured  me  a  list  of  vessels 
about  to  sail  to  your  region  ;  among  them  one  to  Providence, 
Rhode  Island,  and  another  to  Portland,  Maine.  Wrote  note 
to  D.  M.  R.  to  inquire  all  the  particulars  of  these  two.  He 
came  in,  promised  to  get  the  information,  and  to  call  on 
me  with  it  this  evening,  but  he  has  not  called.  I  will  go  in 


320  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

either  of  these  vessels  if  things  suit  and  a  passage  on  credit. 
To  Godwin's,  to  communicate  something  which  I  had  un- 
dertaken to  discover  for  them.  Asked  me  to  dine,  which 
refused,  but  took  a  bowl  of  soup.  Home  at  half  past  four. 
Expected  J.  H.,  but  came  not.  Roasted  by  my  fire  some 
potatoes,  on  which  dined.  Have  drank  nothing  but  toast 
and  water  since  my  swelled  jaws.  Nothing  new  about 
finance.  Paid  this  morning  my  weekly  bill,  and  two  shil- 
lings to  Eliz.,  and  have  now  left  three  shillings  and  three 
halfpence.  Pray  look  at  your  map  to  see  what  distance  I 
walk  every  day. 

27.  Vigil  till  four.      Rose  at  seven.     To  Hawkins's  at 
eleven.     Out.     To  J.  Bentham's.     Nothing  but  a  card  from 
Lovett.     To  Dessaules's   to  get  the   repeater;    not    done. 
Over  again  to  Hawkins's  for  the  other  repealer;  got  it,  but 
he  cannot  mend  it.     To  Graves's.     Waited  an  hour  for  him 
to  come  in.     He  came,  and  informed  me  of  a  fine  ship  to  sail 
on  Monday  for  New-Orleans,  and  a  moral  certainty  that  I  can 
have  a  passage  in  her.     Hastened  home  to  make  my  prep- 
arations, and  sat  down  to  finish  the  "  Nairs,"  which  took  till 
past  six ;  but,  in  the  mean  time,  dined  on  my  potatoes  ;  added 
meat  and  a  pint  of  ale.     Then  off  to  Humbert's,  J.  H.'s 
beau  frere,  to  get  the  ring-watch,  which  will  be  sold  imme- 
diately.    Not  done.      Then  to  Graves's  again,  to  instruct 
him  to  write  to  Liverpool  about  the  ship.     Home  at  nine. 
Headache,  and  sick  at  stomach  with  that  cursed  ale.     After 
vomiting  freely,  was  better.     In  the  midst  of  this  operation, 
overset  my  teakettle  and  put  out  my  fire,  every  spark.     The 
family  being  all  abed,  was  obliged  to  make  it  anew.    Did 
you  ever  make  a  coal  fire  ?     No.     Past  two,  and  must  be 
early  up.     Have  been  writing  a  long  letter  to  E.  Livingston 
lest  I  should  not  get  a  passage. 

28.  The  headache   returned,  and   had   a  restless  night. 
Lay  till  ten.     It  was  too  late  for  the  errands  I  had  intended. 
Tea  for  breakfast.     Wrote  anew  my  letter  to  E.  Livingston, 
and  enclosed  it  in  a  note  to  Graves,  which  our  pretty  Maria 


OF    AARON    BURR.  321 

took  for  me.  Was  engaged  to  dine  to-day  at  Godwin's,  and 
to  walk  with  the  four  dames.  After  dinner  to  the  Hop- 
woods'.  All  which  was  done.  The  little  Patty  Hopwood, 
about,  twelve  or  thirteen,  plays  on  the  piano  in  a  style  that 
would  do  credit  to  a  master  of  any  age  ;  of  Hannah's  talent  for 
dessien  you  have  already  heard  ;  two  other  daughters  are  en- 
gravers and  painters.  The  eldest  son  an  engraver  of  the  first 
rate ;  a  little  boy  musician.  Fortunately,  the  eldest  daugh- 
ter is  a  good,  steady  manager.  The  father  was  in  his  youth 
a  footman ;  he  acquired,  without  a  master,  drawing,  engra- 
ving, and  music ;  has  contrived  to  give  good  education&Jo  all 
his  children  (ten,  I  think) ;  the  family  seem  good-tempered, 
united,  cheerful,  and  happy.  Hannah  is  handsome,  Patty 
beautiful.  Home  at  ten.  You  see,  my  dear  Theodosia, 
that  nothing  has  been  done  or  attempted  to-day  to  further 
my  departure.  My  three  shillings  and  penny  halfpenny  are 
reduced  to  eighteen-pence  ;  but  I  cannot  suffer  before  Wed- 
nesday (pay-day),  for  my  little  Eliz.,  who  is  about  thirteen, 
sees  what  I  want,  buys  it  without  consulting  me,  and  ren- 
ders the  account  at  the  end  of  the  week.  But  this  won't 
get  me  off.  Will  do  better  to-morrow.  No  more  ale. 

29.  After  writing  to  you  last  evening  I  found  on  my  table 
a  note  from  D.  M.  R.  The  most  desponding  you  can  ima- 
gine. I  was  really  apprehensive  that  he  would  blow  out  his 
own  brains  before  I  could  see  him  to  forbid  him.  Was  just 
setting  out  on  this  pious  errand  at  ten,  when  in  came  Castel- 
la  and  sat  an  hour.  I  was  very  glad  to  see  him.  We  walk- 
ed together  to  Covent  Garden,  where  lives  D.  M.  R.  I  found 
him  better  dressed  than  usual,  and  apparently  in  good  spirits. 
After  writing  the  note  to  me  yesterday,  he  had  met  a  gentle- 
man of  fortune  who  listened  to  his  disclosure  of  his  new 
principles  of  wheel-carriages,  and  who,  says  D.  M.  R.,  "  was 
delighted"  with  them,  and  is  to  call  on  me  to  learn  more  of 
it  in  a  few  days.  I  was  greatly  relieved  to  find  his  nerves 
in  so  good  order,  and  went  on  to  Dessaules's,  who  had  fitted 
the  dent.  I  went  on  with  it  to  Gonnell,  the  enameller,  He 


322  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

is  to  make  an  essay  on  Monday.  Then  called  on  Contissi 
to  get  him  to  alter  his  work  a  little.  He  was  very  surly,  and 
said  he  was  too  busy,  and  should  be  too  busy  to-morrow. 
Then  to  J.  Bentham's.  There  was  nothing  for  me.  Did 
not  see  him,  but  met  there  his  beautiful  little  nephew,  eleven 
years  old,  son  of  Sir  Samuel ;  did  not  sit  down,  but  back  To 
Graves's.  All  out.  To  Joyce's,  watchmaker,  Lombard- 
street,  with  whom  had  left  your  picture-watch  to  be  regula- 
ted and  to  get  a  key;  half  a  guinea  !  Having  only  my  eigh- 
teen pence  I  begged  him  to  charge  it  till  the  other  watch  was 
done*(a  silver  repeater,  intended  for  Harry,  but  will  proba- 
bly be  the  only  one  I  shall  have  for  myself).  Hastened 
home  lest  I  should  not  be  in  time  to  receive  J.  H.,  who  en- 
gaged to  call  at  four  to  take  coffee  with  me,  &c.  Got  home 
at  four,  and  J.  H.  came  in  a  few  minutes.  We  had  our 
coffee,  which  was  my  dinner,  and  J.  stayed  till  six.  At 

seven  came   in,  also  by  appointment, ,  and  stayed  till 

nine.  I  walked  with  her  to  her  door,  and  came  quickly 
home,  and  am  now  going  to  occupy  myself  in  filing  and  as- 
sorting papers.  Have  left  in  cash  two  halfpence,  which  is 
much  better  than  one  penny,  because  they  jingle,  and  thus 
one  may  refresh  one's  self  with  the  music.  Called  to-day 
for  the  ring-watch  ;  not  done.  Am  to  have  it  on  Monday, 
and  shall  employ  Mr.  G.  to  sell  it.  After  weighing  the  sub- 
ject very  gravely,  I  think  you  would  prefer  that  this  beauti- 
ful trinket,  rather  than  Bayle  and  Moreri,  should  be  sold. 

TO    THEODOSIA. 

London,  February  6,  1812. 

It  was  about  the  20th  of  July  last  that  I  left  Paris,  at 
twenty-four  hours'  notice,  riding  en  courier,  day  and  night, 
lest  the  ship  Vigilant,  in  which  I  proposed  to  embark,  should 
sail  from  Amsterdam  before  I  could  arrive.  Owing  to  va- 
rious accidents,  but  principally  to  the  capricious  orders  of 
the  government,  we  did  not  sail  from  the  Texel  (look  at 
your  map,  Master  'Pillo)  till  the  30th  of  September.  On 


OF    AARON    BURR.  323 

the  same  day  we  were  captured  by  a  British  frigate  and 
sent  into  Yarmouth. 

I  obtained  permission,  and  came  to  London  with  a  view 
to  expedite  the  release  of  the  ship,  which  I  had  no  doubt 
would  have  been  effected  within  a  week ;  the  case  being  a 
very  clear  one.  The  Vigilant  is  an  American  built  ship ; 
owned  wholly  by  United  States'  citizens ;  having  been  car- 
ried into  Amsterdam  by  a  French  privateer,  bought  in  by 
the  captain,  an  American,  for  the  original  owners,  hired  by 
the  agent  of  the  United  States'  government  to  transport  dis- 
tressed American  seamen,  and  bound,  by  contract,  to  go 
direct  to  Boston.  It  was  for  these  reasons  that  I  preferred 
the  Vigilant  to  any  other  ship. 

The  trial  has  gone  through  all  the  forms  of  law,  and  she 
was  acquitted  a  few  days  ago,  paying  all  costs,  which  may 
amount  to  about  eight  hundred  pounds  sterling.  It  has 
been  all  along  my  intention  to  continue  with  this  ship,  being 
a  large,  strong  ship,  well  found,  and  sailing  in  ballast ;  but, 
at  present,  there  are  objections  which  make  me  hesitate. 
1st.  The  captain  has  changed  his  destination  to  Bath,  a 
small  port  in  the  province  of  Maine,  whence  I  might  find 
as  much  difficulty  in  getting  to  you  as  from  another  conti- 
nent. 2d.  As  he  lays  on  the  east  side  of  the  island,  it  is 
probable  that  he  would,  at  this  season,  be  as  long  in  getting 
out  of  the  channel  as  in  crossing  the  Atlantic.  There  is 
yet  time  to  weigh  these  matters,  as  she  will  not  sail  within 
fifteen  days. 

I  passed  some  days  with  Jeremy  Bentham  in  the  country. 
He  came  to  town,  as  usual,  in  November,  and  he  and  la  fam- 
ille  Godwins  are  the  only  persons  of  my  former  acquaint- 
ances whom  I  see  here.  The  Achauds  are  gone  to  Switz- 
erland. Catharine  Mallett  and  Ann  Williamson  are  both 
married  to  men  of  fortune  and  consideration.  You  must 
have  heard  of  the  death  of  Mrs.  Prevost.  Her  son,  the 
colonel,  is  in  Portugal,  with  his  wife,  a  very  lovely  Irish 
woman,  who  often  brought  Margaret  to  my  mind.  I  have 


324  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

been  much  gratified  by  meeting  Curran.  His  social  talents 
are  equal  to  his  forensic.  His  daughter  Amelia,  who  lives 
in  this  city,  is  equally  interesting.  Nous  verrons.  She  has 
all  the  genius  and  eloquence  of  her  father,  and  the  vivacity, 
the  ingenuousness,  and  the  sensibility  of  her  sex  and  her 
country.  The  beautiful  and  accomplished  Miss  de  Visme 
has  married  a  brother  of  Lord  Mansfield.  Mrs.  Span  is 
still  a  widow,  and  living  with  her  beau  p&re. 

My  health  continues  unimpaired.  Indeed,  I  think  it  has 
rather  improved.  The  last  of  your  letters  which  has  come 
to  hand  is  of  April,  1810,  which  gave  me  some  ground  of 
apprehension  for  your  health.  Ballston  is  your  only  reme- 
dy. The  verbal  accounts  which  I  receive  of  you  are  very 
few  and  very  unsatisfactory.  All  you  say  of  the  boy  de- 
lights me.  My  profound  respects  to  Mr.  Aaron  Burr  Alston, 
and  that  I  promise  myself  great  pleasure  in  his  society.  I 
had  several  pretty  things  for  him,  and  something  for  mother 
and  father.  All  bought  at  Paris  ;  but  have  been  robbed  of 
them  all.  A  much  greater  misfortune,  however,  is  the  loss 
of  his  letters.  Since  I  heard  that  he  had  written  to  me,  I 
have  sent  inquiries  to  Sweden,  to  Denmark,  to  Hamburgh, 
and,  in  short,  ransacked  all  Europe,  but  to  no  purpose.  No 
doubt  they  have  got  into  the  hands  of  Napoleon  through 
sbme  of  his  agents,  and  that  he  thinks  them  too  precious  to 
be  given  up. 

My  occupation  for  the  moment  is  in  making  a  chymical 
experiment.  Something  which  I  saw  successfully  practised 
in  France,  and  which  I  supposed  was  still  better  understood 
in  England ;  but  find,  to  my  surprise,  that  it  is  totally  un- 
known here.  If  I  should  hit  on  it,  which  seems  probable, 
it  will  be  of  value  here,  and  of  much  greater  in  the  United 
States.  A  chymist  of  science  and  fortune  assists  me,  and 
allows  me  the  use  of  his  laboratory.  He  is  the  friend  of 
Bentham.  This  is  some  little  consolation  for  my  detention 
and  disappointments, 

You  shall  not  be  teazed  any  more  with  that  vile  No.  20, 


OF    AARON    BURR.  325 

though  I  do  admire  the  thickness  of  thy  pretty  scull.  It  is 
not  new,  but  in  accord  with  our  agreement,  that  is  to  re-y 
move  chi  to  any  number,  giving  the  notice  which  I  did. 

The  preceding  pages  are  the  substance  (a  little  more  or 
a  little  less)  of  two  letters  which  I  wrote  you,  viz.,  29th 
October  and  6th  February.  Things  are  in  statu  quo.  The 
Vigilant  will  not  sail  till  about  the  first  of  March. 

A.  BURR. 

FROM   JEREMY    BENTHAM. 

London,  February  9,  1812. 

If  you  do  not  come  to-day,  which  would  be  still  better,  I 
hope  sincerely  and  entreat  you  that  you  will  come  to-mor- 
row ;  the  rather,  as  on  Tuesday  and  Wednesday  I  am  en- 
gaged at  dinner-time,  though  neither  day  in  any  such  manner 
as,  after  what  I  find  has  happened,  your  imagination  may 
naturally  enough  be  left  to  suggest.  Yesterday  exhibited 
some  whimsical  coincidences  ;  an  explanation  of  which,  if 
you  have  not  yourself,  from  the  knowledge  of  my  habits,  an- 
ticipated, it  will  occupy  three  minutes  by  the  watch,  before 
some  other  points  set  down  by  you  for  arguing,  some  of 
them  of  much  more  importance  than  the  coincidences  brought 
upon  the  carpet.  J.  BENTHAM. 

FROM    LORD   BALGRAY. 

Edinburgh,  February  16,  1812. 

I  duly  received  yours  of  the  6th.  You  will  be  surprised 
that  you  have  not  heard  from  me  as  I  promised,  but  I  have 
been  prevented  by  the  great  pressure  of  public  business  at 
this  period  of  our  session.  The  lord-president  and  I  have 
had  repeated  conversations  about  you,  and  we  are  both  so 
strongly  impressed  with  the  advantage  to  be  derived  to  all 
from  an  honourable  communication  with  you,  that  we  have 
resolved  to  make  an  extract  from  your  letter  to  me,  and  to 
put  that,  confidentially,  into  Lord  Melville's  hands.  We 


326  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

mean,  also,  to  explain  fully  the  high  opinion  that  oar  late 
friend*  had  of  your  honour  and  your  character. 

I  have  just  time  to  inform  you  of  this.  Alas  !  my  dear 
friend,  what  a  loss  at  this  moment  do  we  feel  in  our  departed 
friend. 

If  you  happen  to  see  any  American  gentlemen  going  to 
New-York,  will  you  have  the  kindness  to  tell  them  that,  if 
they  see  Col.  Walker,  Utica,  they  may  inform  him  "  that 
his  late  friend's  family  are  all  well,  and  that  he  will  hear 
from  me  soon  in  answer  to  all  his  letters." 

DAVID  WILLIAMSON. 

TO  EDWARD  LIVINGSTON. 

London,  Feb.  28,  18J2. 

On  the  30th  of  September  I  sailed  from  the  Texel  in  the 
ship  Vigilant,  Captain  Combes,  bound  for  Boston.  On  the 
same  day  we  were  captured  by  a  British  frigate  ;  and  though 
the  ship  was  chartered  by  the  government  of  the  United 
States  to  take  home  distressed  mariners,  and  had  no  cargo, 
we  were  sent  into  Yarmouth.  I  came  hither  to  attend  to  the 
fate  of  the  ship,  and  to  hasten  the  decision,  leaving  my  bag- 
gage on  board,  having  no  doubt  but  that  she  would  be  dis- 
charged within  eight  days.  But  it  was  only  about  three 
weeks  ago  that  she  was  released,  on  paying  all  costs.  The 
captain,  having  got  rid  of  his  sailors,  chartered  his  ship  for  a 
voyage  to  New-Orleans  without  consulting  me.  I  refused 
to  go,  and  demanded  my  passage-money,  which  he  refused 
to  refund.  Finally,  at  the  solicitation  of  the  captain,  and 
considering  that  she  was  a  fine  ship ;  that  I  had  paid  my 
passage,  and  gone  to  considerable  expense  to  fit  up  a  cabin 
to  my  mind,  I  resolved  to  make  the  voyage,  and  told  the 
captain  so.  He  went  off  to  Yarmouth  to  fit  out  his  ship. 
Within  two  or  three  days  after  his  arrival  there,  he  wrote  me 
that  the  American  consul  at  that  place  (Williams)  had  for- 
bid him  to  take  me  at  his  peril.  What  were  the  nature  of  the 

*  Col.  Charles  Williamson,  brother  of  Lord  Balgtay. 


OF    AARON    BURR.  327 

menaces  he  does  not  relate ;  but,  before  leaving  London,  he 
informed  me  that  the  person  acting  as  consul  here  (Beaseley) 
had  also  forbid  him,  and  menaced  him,  but  that  he  had  treat- 
ed it  with  contempt.  Now,  however,  he  got  frightened,  and 
wrote  me  he  would  not  take  me.  This  proceeds,  I  pre- 
sume, from  Jonathan  Russell,  charge  des  affaires.  He 
and  your  loving  brother*  detained  me  about  twenty  months 
in  Paris. 

Since  my  arrival  here  I  have  already  been  twice  disap- 
pointed in  passages,  which  I  ascribed  to  the  caprice  or  ma- 
levolence of  the  respective  captains ;  but,  no  doubt,  it  ema- 
nated from  the  same  influence. 

It  is  impossible  to  think  of  New-Orleans  without  thinking 
of  you  and  your  beautiful  wife,  and  I  thought  this  story 
would  amuse  you.  Tell  madame  that,  in  all  my  peregrina- 
tions, I  have  seen  nothing  so  lovely  as  she  was  the  morning 
she  was  on  the  gallery,  and  I  did  not  take  leave  of  her. 
She  will  see  how  heavy  that  sin  lays  on  my  conscience. 

I  have  now  no  way  of  getting  out  but  by  the  British  pack- 
et, and  so  I  abandon  all  hope  of  seeing  you  at  New-Orleans. 
Write  to  me  under  cover  to  Henry  Gahn,  Swedish  consul, 
New-York,  and  tell  me  what  you  are  about.  I  shall  recom- 
mence the  practice  of  the  law,  but  where  exactly  I  may  fix 
is  not  quite  settled.  Gahn,  however,  will  have  my  address. 
Salute — no,  I  will  mention  no  names,  for  fear  of  alarming  or 
hurting  some  one. 

It  is  now  certain  that  Percival,  Liverpool,  &  Co.,  the  men 
most  hostile  to  the  United  States,  will  continue  in  the  min- 
istry. There  may  be  some  unimportant  modification  of  the 
orders  in  council ;  something  to  furnish  to  our  government 
a  pretence  for  suspending  the  execution  of  their  threats  ;  but 
I  do  not  expect  a  repeal  of  those  orders.  It  is  humiliating 
to  every  American  to  witness  the  ridicule  and  contempt  with 
which  our  vapouring  and  war  prattle  are  treated  here. 

A.  BURR. 

*  General  John  Armstrong. 
VOL.  II.  21 


328  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

JOURNAL. 

London,  March  1,  1812.  Sor.  at  half  past  ten  to  Elms's, 
dentist,  Leicester  Square.  He  acknowledged  with  admiration 
the  superiority  of  Fonzi's  work;  will  take  my  proposals  into 
consideration,  and  give  a  written  answer  on  Wednesday.  To 
Dessaules's.  He  undertook  cheerfully  the  little,  troublesome, 
capricious  changes  which  I  desire  to  make.  To  Humbert's, 
where  expected  to  meet  J.  H.,  but  not  there.  Then  away 
to  George-street,  Portland  Place,  to  see  J.  Lawrence,  au- 
thor of  the  "  Kingdom  of  the  Nairs ;"  but  the  address  was 
falsely  given,  for  there  is  no  such  number  as  forty-four.  On 
my  return,  passing  the  door  of  Madame  Thorpe,  I  called, 
and  was  quite  surprised  that  she  should  seem  so  very  glad 
to  see  me,  for  my  last  visit  was  so  triste  that  I  did  not  think 
of  repeating  it ;  for  no  one  shall  ever  say  that  I  was  de  trop 
or  ennuied  them  with  my  visits.  She  said  she  had  sent 
repeatedly  to  inquire  for  me,  and  to  invite  me,  but  could 
not  find  my  address ;  that  she  desired  to  introduce  me  to  a 

Mr. ,  late  governor  of  Siera  Leone,  who  desired  greatly 

to  see  me.  Home  ;  smoked  and  read  the  Gazette  an  hour, 
and  then  to  Godwin's,  where  madame  had  engaged  me  to 
dine.  Seeing  there  was  lime  before  dinner,  went  to  Graves's, 
where  found  a  card  from  Achaud,  and  a  message  that  he 
would  be  very  glad  to  see  me,  which  I  don't  believe,  for  he 
would  not  have  been  a  fortnight  returning  my  visit,  and  would 
have  answered  my  note  or  sent  an  invitation.  But  do  not 
regret  the  loss  of  his  acquaintance,  for  madame  and  les  petits 
enfans  were  the  only  persons  of  the  family  who  amused  me. 
Returned  to  Godwin's  and  dined  en  famille.  After  dinner, 
walked  with  Fanny  and  Jane  to  see  the  bust  of  Milton,  and 

the  spot  where  he  was  interred  in church.     There  is 

no  monument,  and  the  bust  is  placed  several  yards  from  the 
place  of  interment.  Returned  with  the  girls,  and  then  came 
home  without  tea,  preferring  it  at  home  in  my  own  fashion, 
and  wishing  to  go  through  with  the  assorting  of  papers  be- 


OF   AARON   BURR.  329 

gan  last  evening.  Have  been  working  hard  till  now,  half 
past  two;  but,  as  I  have  been  drinking  freely  of  high-burned 
coffee,  fear  a  vigil  night,  and,  therefore,  you  owe  me  no  great 
thanks  this  time.  M.  J.  G.  thinks  she  can  dispose  of  the 
ring- watch  for  me  Shall  put  it  into  her  hands  to-morrow, 
if  I  can  get  it 

But  the  wind  has  most  maliciously  come  east,  which  is 
fair  for  vessels  to  go  out,  and  I  am  greatly  distressed  lest  the 
ship  for  New-Orleans,  in  which  I  had  hoped  to  have  sailed, 
should  have  gone,  for  this  was  her  day  of  sailing  from  Liv- 
erpool. Yet  it  would  be  the  first  example  since  Noah  of  a 
vessel  sailing  on  the  appointed  day.  I  will  continue  my 
preparations,  i.  e.,  try  to  get  money.  Have  not  had  a  penny 
(yes,  my  two  halfpennies)  since  yesterday  morning,  and  no 
hope  of  one  to-inorrow. 

2.  Slept  none  till  past  four.  Rose  at  seven,  and  found  I 
had  slept  enough,  Sor.  at  half  past  nine.  To  Gonin,  the 
enameller.  You  have  had  his  name  in  various  ways,  but 
this  is  right,  for  I  copied  it  from  a  medal.  Not  yet  at  his 
shop.  He  is  a  lazy  dog,  though  good-natured  and  ingenious. 
Went  then  to  his  house.  The  girl  said  he  was  gone  out. 
Told  her  I  knew  better,  and  that,  if  he  would  not  come  down 
to  me,  I  would  go  up  to  him.  This  brought  a  message 
from  him  that  he  was  a  little  indisposed,  and  not  yet  up, 
but  would  be  at  his  shop  at  half  past  eleven.  To  Des- 
saules's.  He  had  not  yet  done  the  affair,  but  would  certainly 
do  it  this  day.  Then  across  the  park  to  Reeves's,  to  demand 
passport  in  the  name  of  Adolphus  Arnot.  He  begged  me 
to  make  the  application  in  writing,  which  did  at  his  table, 
and  he  promised  to  send  the  passport.  Then  back  to  Go- 
nin's.  Found  him,  and  we  repaired  the  broken  dent  in 
about  half  an  hour,  and  beautifully.  Certes,  I  have  walked 
more  than  one  hundred  miles  in  vain  endeavours  to  get  this 
done.  Home  for  an  hour.  No,  called  first  at  Humbert's, 
where  met  J.  H.,  but  the  ring-watch  not  done.  On  my  way 
home  tried  to  pawn  the  picture-watch,  but  the  rascal  would 


330  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

only  give  £4.  So  went  on  sans  sous,  for  I  had  given  my 
two  halfpence  to  Gonin's  little  girl.  Forgot  to  say  that  at 
Reeves's  got  a  letter  from  V.  D.  L.,  dated  Paris,  January 
30,  and  I  thought  the  fellow  long  since  in  the  United 
States.  He  had  heard  that  the  ship  Vigilant  was  lost,  and 
that  we  were  all  drowned,  and  writes  to  inquire  of  me 
whether  it  be  true.  On  ray  arrival  home,  near  one,  found 
a  note  from  J.  Bentham,  enclosing  a  letter  for  me  from 
Robert  Morris,  requesting  an  interview,  and  permission  to 
ask  my  advice  about  some  matters  depending  on  the  laws 
of  the  United  States.  I  could  not  refuse  to  see  the  face  of 
my  old  friend,  whatever  might  be  his  situation.  So  wrote 
a  note  appointing  twelve  to-morrow,  at  Q.  S.  P. 

To  Graves's,  where  met  his  father,  as  agreed,  that  we 
might  go  together  to  Lancaster's  school.  D.  M.  R.  came 
in  and  went  with  us.  It  is  about  one  and  a  half  miles  over 
the  river.  Stayed  an  hour,  and  was  very  greatly  interested 
and  pleased.  A  lad  of  fifteen  years  of  age,  who  four  years 
%go  did  not  know  his  letters,  instructs  1000  (a  thousand) 
boys  in  reading,  writing,  and  arithmetic.  And  those  boys 
learn  more  in  a  month  than,  in  the  ordinary  mode,  is  learned 
in  a  year.  And  yet  they  appear  to  be  constantly  running 
about,  and  are  all  cheerful,  as  if  at  play.  No  rods,  or  whips, 
or  ferules.  No  boy  is  to  be  struck.  But  I  have  bought 
for  you  some,  and  shall  buy  all,  of  the  books  explanatory  of 
this  new  mode  of  instruction.  The  expense  is  about  five 
shillings  and  sixpence  per  annum  for  each  boy,  including  all 
contingencies  of  fuel,  books,  stationary,  slates,  &c.,  &c. 

In  another  room  are  three  hundred  girls,  taught  by  one  of 
about  fourteen  years  old,  in  the  same  mode.  But  this  was 
prettier.  Am  to  go  again  this  week.  Was  sorry  not  to 
have  had  one  halfpenny.  Got  home  at  five  ;  had  eaten  some 
dumplings  or  pudding  at  Graves's  at  two.  Now  took  my 
coffee,  and  at  six  went  off  to  Charing  Cross  to  leave  my 
note  for  R.  Morris.  Have  been  the  whole  evening  assort- 
ing  and  filing  papers.  Now  strikes  one. 


OF    AARON    BURR.  331 

3.  Slept  very  sound,  and  rose  at  half  past  eight,  after  being 
twice  called  by  Eliza.  At  eleven  to  J.  Bentham's,  where, 
you  know,  I  was  to  meet  R.  Morris.  J.  B.  came  down  to 
secure  me  for  dinner  to-rnorrow,  and  to  have  explanations 
about  my  default  last  Wednesday.  The  truth  is,  that  I 
read  his  note  sans  lunettes,  and  either  did  not  read  or  not 
comprehend  that  part  which  invited  me  to  dine. 

R.  Morris  came  punctually.  He  told  me  the  most  extra- 
ordinary story  about  Miss  E.  A.  C.,  who,,  at  eighteen,  mar- 
ried on  the  Continent  an  Irishman  named  M.,  then  about 
fifty,  and  who  happened  to  have  then,  and  now  living,  an- 
other wife  in  England.  E.  A.  was  very  beautiful,  and  the 
parties  became  extremely  attached  to  each  other.  M.  be- 
came suspected  by  the  French  government,  and  was  taken  up 
and  put  in  prison.  She  favoured  his  escape,  and  he  got  off; 
on  which  she  was  put  in  prison,  and  kept  a  whole  year  on 
black  bread  and  water,  and,  in  prison  and  among  felons,  was 
brought  to  bed.  Soon  after  this,  and  about  six  months  ago, 
she  was  released  and  came  to  England.  M.  had  gone  to 
sea  and  was  drowned  ;  but  he  had  taken  good*  care  of  his 
A.  By  the  most  extraordinary  villanies,  he  bought  and 
loaded  a  ship  to  the  value  of  ninety  thousand  guineas,  which 
he  sent  off  to  Philadelphia,  and  had  there  vested  in  her  name. 
He  got  the  ship  ensured  here  for  her  full  value,  not  in  his 
own  name,  and  procured  such  full  testimony  of  her  total 
loss,  that  the  underwriters  paid  the  amount  of  the  policy 
without  suit,  and  soon  after  it  was  discovered  that  she 
arrived  safe  in  Philadelphia.  But,  then,  the  ship  and  cargo 
appeared  never  to  have  belonged  to  M.,  but  a  person  >f  a 
different  name,  by  whom  the  assignment  was  made  to  E. 
A.,  and  all  this  without  her  knowledge.  She  is  now  just 
twenty-one.  Am  to  meet  her  to-morrow,  and  then  shall 
know  more.  From  R.  M.'s  story,  her  sufferings  and  her 
fortitude  are  the  most  surprising.  He  was  two  hours  in  re- 
lating it.  One  of  the  parties  to  the  fraud,  a  very  elegant 
young  man,  has  lately  been  convicted  and  hanged  here. 


33i5  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

But  that  fraud  was  the  expedition  in  which  M.  was  lost  at 
sea,  and  by  which  he  had  intended  to  make  another  90,000 
guineas.  Now  what  they  want  of  me  is  to  show  them 
how  E.  A.  may  get  and  keep  the  90,000  guineas,  about 
400,000  dollars,  which  are  deposited  in  Philadelphia.  R. 
M.  paid  me  nothing,  and  I  suppose  E.  A.  is  not  in  condition 
to  pay,  for  she  and  her  mother  support  themselves  by  making 
straw  hats. 

From  J.  Bentham's  to  Dessaules's.  He  had  done  one 
piece  very  neatly  indeed.  Very  lucky  he  had  not  done 
them  both,  as  I  had  not  a  sous  to  pay  him.  On  to  Gonin's. 
He  had  perfectly  succeeded  in  the  piece  on  which  we 
worked  yesterday,  and  I  left  him  the  other,  and  proposed  to 
pay  him  when  that  should  be  done.  Tried,  on  my  way 
home,  at  several  places,  to  pawn  your  picture-watch,  which 
ought  to  be  worth  fifty  guineas ;  but  they  would  not  give 
more  than  £3,  which  refused.  As  I  approached  my  home, 
ruminated  how  to  get  dinner  and  supper  (coffee),  for  I  had 
neither  bread,  butter,  cheese,  nor  sugar.  Fortunately,  M.  of 
herself  discovered  all  these  wants,  and  also  candles,  and 
bought  them  all.  D.  M.  R.  came  in  at  five,  and  partook  of 
my  potatoes,  to  which  was  added  the  mutton  I  bought  some 
days  ago  (for  I  eat  no  meat),  and  a  pint  of  ale.  My  drink 
is  still  toast  and  water.  Before  he  came  in,  however,  I  had 
completed  the  draught  of  a  power  of  attorney  for  E.  A.,  to  be 
sent  off  by  this  packet.  I  wished  to  have  written  you  by 
the  same  opportunity,  but  the  four  and  sixpence  requisite 
for  postage  is  a  fatal  objection.  D.  M.  R.,  having  four  three 
shilling  pieces,  lent  me  two  of  them ;  but  one  proved  a 
counterfeit.  He  was  in  good  spirits,  having  met  one  of  his 
country  acquaintance  mentioned  some  time  ago  who  "  was 
delighted  with  his  principles  on  wheel-carriages."  This  is 
certainly  very  nearly  allied  to  insanity. 

On  coming  in  this  P.  M.,  received  a  note  from  Madame 
Thorpe,  dated  yesterday,  inviting  me  to  come  and  pass  the 
evening  with  that  same  late  governor  of  Sierra  Leone.  Mr. 


OF    AARON    BURR.  333 

Browne,  who  had  before  expressed  so  much  desire  lo  meet 
me.  I  regretted  that  the  note  had  not  come  sooner  to  hand  ; 
but  this  is  a  misfortune  which  must  happen  in  this  circuitous 
mode  of  communication,  for  my  address  to  her,  and  to  all 
at  the  west  end,  is  at  Q.  S.  P.,  and  J.  Bentham  transmits 
notes  and  cards  to  Mr.  Arnot.  Walked  off  in  the  rain  to 
Madame  Thorpe,  Foley  Place,  about  two  and  a  half  miles. 
Took  tea,  and  passed  a  very  cheerful  hour  with  the  family. 
Have  agreed  to  go  with  them  on  Friday  to  the  exhibition  of 
an  orrery  and  an  astronomical  lecture,  to  be  given  at  the 
Haymarket.  Am  to  dine  with  her  on  that  day.  Got  home 
at  ten.  Being  very  dark,  and  the  streets  very  badly  lighted, 
got  lost,  and  wandered  a  good  deal  both  going  and  coming. 
To-morrow  is  pay-day.  You  must  stir  yourself,  Monsieur 
Gam.,  or  you  go  out  doors. 

4.  Casiella  came  in  at  ten,  and  talked  an  hour  on  old 
subjects.  Having  nothing  to  do,  he  agreed  to  walk  with  me 
to  continue  the  conversation.  Went  first  to  Graves's.  Out. 
Wrote  him  a  note  to  keep  in  his  hands,  till  I  should  call  to- 
morrow, the  letter  which  Elms  will  address  to  him  for  me 
about  the  dents.  Am  in  hopes  to  make  something  of  that 
affair,  for  the  man  seemed  "  delighted"  with  Fonzi's  "  prin- 
ciples." This,  however,  cannot  be  in  season  for  the  present 
exigence.  Passed  by  Joyce's,  but  would  not  call  for  the 
silver  repeater,  having  nothing  to  pay  his  bill.  Then  to  J. 
Bentham's.  Castella  left  me  at  Covent  Garden.  R.  Mor- 
ris came  in  at  three  with  la  belle  E.  A.  C.  I  was  wrong  in 
stating  that  she  had  been  six  months  out  of  prison ;  it  is  but 
a  few  days,  and  she  has  been  but  six  days-  in  England.  She 
is  tall,  well  made  ;  fine,  large,  long  blue  eyes  ;  a  mouth  that 
does  not  please  me  ;  blonde  ;  well  made  ;  but  the  marks  of 
sufferings  are  visible.  She  is  a  mere  skeleton,  pale,  and  a 
cadaverous  jaunatre.  When  in  health,  and  with  a  reasonable 
embonpoint,  she  must  be  imposing  and  attractive.  As  R. 
Morris  talked  all  the  while,  and  for  the  most  part  incohe- 
rently, had  little  opportunity  to  judge  of  her  understanding 


334  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

or  acquirements.  But  her  letters,  which,  among  other  papers, 
I  had  occasion  to  peruse,  are  well  written.  They  stayed  an 
hour,  and  I  promised  to  give  her  written  instructions.  She 
did  not  offer,  nor  did  I  ask  for  money ;  if  she  had  offered,  I 
should,  in  the  present  dilemma,  have  accepted.  It  would 
have  been  the  first  time  that  I  ever  took  from  distressed  in- 
nocence ;  and  such  I  believe  to  be  her  case.  She  will  go 
instantly  to  America  if  I  advise  it,  which  I  believe  I  shall ; 
and  she  appeared  extremely  grateful  for  the  interest  which 
I  took  in  her  concerns. 

Poor  Jeremy  Benlham  is  overwhelmed  with  trouble. 
The  ministry  are  about  to  take  away,  in  a  manner  the  most 
horribly  unjust,  the  whole  of  his  little  income,  a  bare  com- 
petence, and  he  is  seriously  apprehensive  that  he  shall  be 
obliged  to  abandon  the  paternal  mansion  in  which  he  has 
lived  sixty  years.  To  me,  however,  it  appears  that  they 
will  never  dare  to  commit  this  outrage  on  justice,  and  law, 
and  reason.  The  story  is  too  long  and  too  intricate  now  to 
be  written,  but  you  shall  have  ore  tenus. 

Came  off  at  nine,  deliberating  whether  to  go  home  at  the 
hazard  of  finding  my  weekly  bill  on  my  table,  or  to  lodge 
abroad  and  try  the  events  of  another  day.  Had  still  D.  M. 
R.'s  three  shilling  piece  unbroken  ;  but  my  bill  for  this  week 
will  be  at  least  twenty-five  shillings.  To  the  ordinary  ex- 
penses is  to  be  added  a  pair  of  boots  mended,  six  shillings. 
Passing  near  the  Godwins',  went  in  and  sat  half  an  hour, 
and  then  ventured  home.  Complained  of  a  headache,  which 
is  true,  owing  to  two  glasses  of  wine  drank  at  J.  Bentham's. 
Did  not  find  my  bill  on  the  table,  nor  a  word  said  about  it. 
Now,  to-morrow  must  either  be  sick,  and  lay  abed  all  day, 
or  go  out  before  breakfast.  Which  do  you  advise  ?  "  Why, 
go  out  early,  to  be  sure.  If  you  lay  on  your  back  waiting 
for  miracles,  it  may  be  some  time  before  they  come  to  your 
relief."  You  are  right,  ma  min.  I  will  be  out  and  striving ; 
if  nothing  else  should  succeed,  will  pawn  the  picture- watch 
for  three  pounds.  Have  not  yet  got  the  ring-watch.  I  am 


OF   AARON    BURR.  335 

pretty  sure  that  ma  hotesses  has  no  suspicion  of  the  state 
of  the  treasury  ;  for,  on  coming  in,  I  find  a  stock  of  coal  and 
wood  bought  this  day.     Past  one  ;  must  prepare  for  couche. 
A  vile,  chilly,  drizzling  day.     Yesterday  do.     Mem. — Hoi- 
croft,  the  poet,  bred  a  shoemaker;  Perry,  proprietor  of  the 
Morning  Chronicle,  and  having  now  an  income  of  £10,000 
per  annum ;  his  history,  and  that  of  his  wife,  will  amuse,  if 
not  interest.     Yet,  as  I  am  not  sleepy,  and  fear  I  shall  not 
sleep,  having,  like  a  blockhead  and  gourmand,  drank  high- 
burned,  strong  coffee  at  J.  Bentham's,  I  will  tell  you  .that  at 
J.  B.'s  found   a  letter  from  John  Edw.  Browne  (doubtless 
the    late   governor    spoken   of   by  Mrs.  Thorpe),  avowing 
the  utmost  respect  and  desire  to  serve  me,  and  full  of  flat- 
tering expressions.     It  was  written  yesterday,  at  the  mo- 
ment he  was  leaving  London  for  Gosport,  where  he  was  to 
embark  for  Sierra  Leone,  where  he  knew  I  had  friends  to 
whom  I  wished   to  write  confidentially.     He  gives  me  his 
address  at  Gosport.     J  think  Madame  Thorpe  must  have 
told  him  an  incident  which  took  place  on  our  passage  from 
the  United  States ;  one  exactly  calculated  to  captivate  the 
heart  of  an  Irishman.     That  story  is  not  written,  but  shall 
be,  for  your  amusement  and  Gampillo's  instruction.     Now 
ought  I  to  be  writing  all  to-morrow  to  my  intrepid  friend 
Captain  J. ;  instead  of  which,  must  be  coursing  for  twenty- 
five  shillings.     But  I  will  write  at  every  resting-place. 

We  may  as  well  now  say  a  word  more  of  Perry  (Perrie 
was  the  name  originally).  Born  in  the  North  of  Scotland, 
and  having  received  a  good  classical  education,  at  the  age 
of  twenty  he  walked  to  London  to  seek  his  fortune.  He 
had  left  on  his  arrival  two  and  sixpence.  For  some  time  he 
nearly  starved.  At  length  he  got  employment  and  small 
wages  with  the  editor  of  the  Morning  Chronicle,  and  subse- 
quently he  became  principal  editor;  then  a  partner,  and, 
finally,  sole  proprietor.  At  the  age  of  forty  he  was  wealthy. 
Happening  to  make  a  journey  in  the  country,  he  saw  in  a 
milliner's  shop  a  girl  with  whose  beauty  and  manner  he  was 


336  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

greatly  smitten.  He  begged  leave  to  repeat  his  visit ;  and, 
at  the  second  interview,  he  told  her  he  would  marry  her ;  but 
added,  "  I  am  a  man  of  fortune,  and  wish  to  live  hospitably, 
and  to  make  my  friends  happy  at  my  house.  I  am  not  ac- 
customed to  society,  and  must  have  a  wife  who  can  do  the 
honours  of  my  house  with  grace,  and  dignity,  and  fashion. 
Now  you  have  seen  nothing  of  the  world,  and  know  even 
less  of  these  matters  than  I  do ;  but  you  have  talents,  and 
would  presently  become  a  lady  if  you  were  under  proper 
advantages.  Then,  if  you  will  go  to  Paris,  and  spend  two 
years  there  to  perfect  yourself,  I  will  furnish  the  means  and 
marry  you  on  your  return."  The  lady,  who  was  seventeen, 
was  not  long  balancing  on  so  hard  a  condition.  She  went 
to  Paris,  passed  the  two  years  under  every  advantage  which 
money  could  procure,  returned  an  accomplished  lady,  and 
all  that  Perry  could  wish.  They  married  ;  have  six  lovely 
children.  She  has  been  the  pride  of  his  heart,  the  ornament 
of  his  house,  and  the  admiration  of  his  friends. 

I  know  an  Irishman  who  did  something  of  the  same  kind, 
but  I  doubt  whether  there  be  anything  similar  in  the  history 
of  any  Englishman. 

I  have  been  smoking,  and  drinking  toast  and  water,  and, 
at  intervals,  writing  these  scraps,  till  the  watchman  has  pro- 
claimed half  past  two.  Now  you  may  ask,  why  have  I  not 
been  all  this  while  writing  my  letter  to  Captain  J.  ?  So  I 
have,  madame ;  that  letter  is  going  on,  and  will  be  all  ready 
before  I  rise  in  the  morning.  Once  formed,  it  never  goes 
out  of  my  head,  and  the  mechanical  part  can  be  performed 
anywhere  and  at  any  time.  Salut. 

5.  A  day  of  fruitless  labour.  Vigil  till  four.  To  Joyce's, 
and,  instead  of  getting  up  the  silver  repeater,  like  a  booby, 
left  the  picture-watch,  and  so  deprived  of  both.  To  Graves's. 
Nix ;  but  told  me  the  ship  for  New-Orleans  was  detained 
for  some  days,  and  would  then  go  by  Havannah.  Very  in- 
teresting to  Gamp.  To  J.  Hug.'s.  She  had  not  the  ring- 
watch,  and  don't  know  where  it  is  !  Sent  her  out  to  hunt. 


OF    AARON    BURR.  337 

To  Madame  Thorpe's  to  inquire  about  Mr.  Browne ;  but  she 
was  out.  Back  to  J.  Hug.'s.  Not  come  in.  To  Gonin's. 
He  will  repair  the  other  to-morrow.  Not  a  hope  of  getting 
a  shilling,  and  had  the  folly  this  morning  to  ask  for  my  ac- 
count, which  they  would  not  otrierwise  thought  of  present- 
ing. Round  by  Godwin's,  where  dined.  Then  to  Graves's 
again,  with  Gampillo's  coins  and  medals,  to  sell  to  him  for 
old  silver.  Out.  Ventured  to  come  home.  My  account 
was  presented,  twenty-four  shillings  and  one  penny.  Took 
no  notice  of  it.  D.  M.  R.  came  in  and  took  tea  with  me, 
and  gave  me  the  name  of  a  medal  and  coin  monger,  where 
shall  go  to-morrow.  Mr.  Godwin,  with  Mary  and  Jane, 
came  in  and  sat  an  hour.  Mr.  G.  will  undertake  to  sell 
Bayle  and  Moreri,  and  Madame  Godwin  the  ring-watch. 
But  the  books  are  at  the  custom-house,  and  the  other,  should 
be  glad  to  know.  Have  been  all  the  evening  sorting  and 
marking  the  coins  and  medals  for  sale.  Poor  little  Gampy, 
how  sorry  I  am.  Now  two  o'clock,  fire  out,  tired,  cold,  and 
must  yet  work  half  an  hour  at  the  coins  and  medals. 

6.  To  Graves's,  and  pledged  a  part  of  Gam'lo's  coins  and 
medals  for  five  pounds,  which  sum  I  actually  received; 
so  it  is  to  the  boy  at  last  that  I  am  indebted  for  this  tempo- 
rary relief.  The  little  rascal,  I  did  not  think  he  was  so 
rich.  These  were  pledged  at  or  near  the  value  of  the  silver 
only,  and  it  is  not  half  his  store,  so  that  the  real  value  of  the 
metal  of  his  little  treasure  must  be  more  than  fifty  dollars. 
Observe,  they  are  not  sold,  but  only  pledged.  Then  to  J.  B.'s, 
where  found  a  great  packet  of  papers  from  R.  Morris  about 
E.  A.  C.'s  affairs.  Got  some  things  out  of  my  trunk  there 
for  sale,  viz.,  half  a  piece  of  cambric,  which  I  had  sealed 
up  for  you,  and  resolved  to  keep  through  thick  and  thin ;  but 
everything  visible  must  go,  or  I  shall  lose  the  opportunity  of 
this  ship ;  and,  as  every  day's  delay  diminishes  my  means,  the 
longer  I  stay  the  less  likely  am  I  ever  to  get  out.  To  Des- 
saules's,  who  had  done  both  the  pieces  which  I  left  with 
him,  for  which  and  the  former  work  paid  him  twenty  shil- 


'  338  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

lings,  which  I  thought  very  moderate.  Then  to  Humbert's 
to  get  the  ring-watch.  Met  J.  H.,  who  gave  me  the  thing, 
but  nothing  done  to  it  and  the  glass  broken,  which  will  be 
difficult  to  repair  even  here.  I  was  exceedingly  vexed  that 
the  fellow  should  have  kept  the  thing  five  iveeks,  given  me 
so  much  trouble,  made  so  many  promises,  and,  finally,  re- 
turned your  beautiful  little  jewel  in  ruins,  and  without  apol- 
ogy. I  said  he  must  be  a  great  rascal  to  serve  me  so. 
Hum.  was  in  the  adjoining  room  and  listening.  He  burst 
into  the  room  where  we  were  in  a  rage,  said  it  was  his  friend, 
a  man  of  honour;  and  accabled  rne  with  a  volley  of  the 
grossest  and  most  vulgar  abuse.  I  smiled  and  made  no  re- 
ply ;  but,  without  altering  my  tone  or  manner,  addressed 
something  to  J. ;  but  poor  J.  burst  into  tears,  and  could  nei- 
ther speak  nor  hear.  This  rage  of  Hum.  has,  I  fear,  some 
other  source  than  what  appeared  on  this  particular  occasion, 
and  I  greatly  fear  that  it  will  be  vented  on  J. ;  and  I  can't 
tell  you  how  unhappy  this  reflection  has  made  me.  Called 
at  Gonin's.  Out,  though  he  had  appointed  that  hour.  Walked 
on  homeward,  but  took  Godwin's  in  my  way,  as  well  to  hear 
from  J.  as  to  see  about  the  sale  of  Bayle  and  Moreri.  He 
thinks  he  can  get  twenty  guineas  for  them.  Home  at  two. 
After  smoking  an  hour  and  dressing,  to  Mad.  Thorpe's  to  dine. 
Mr.  C.  B.  Wyatt,  a  sensible,  sprightly  young  man,  son  or 
nephew  of  the  celebrated  architect,  and  the  family,  were  the 
party.  I  was  engrossed  by  the  concern  of  poor  J.,  arid,  of 
course,  bad  company.  Stayed  till  nine,  and  got  home  at  ten. 
Found  a  good  fire.  My  little  menagere  is  punctual  as  the 
sun.  Have  not  paid  my  bill,  to  avoid  giving  the  affair  an  air 
of  consequence.  I  ought  to  finish  my  letter  to  Capt.  J.  to- 
night ;  but  the  position  of  poor  J.  occupies  me,  and  unfits  me 
for  everything.  Not  being  able  to  speak  a  sentence  of  Eng- 
lish, having  no  friend  or  acquaintance  but  this  brutal  beau 
frere,  she  will  be  robbed  of  all  the  avails  of  her  industry,  for 
she  is  confiding  and  unsuspicious  as  an  infant,  and  will  oth- 
erwise be  made  as  unhappy  as  authority  and  malevolence 


OF    AARON    BURR.  339 

can  make  her.  On  such  occasions  I  feel  the  sorrows  of 
poverty.  I  was  totally  mistaken  about  that  John  Edward 
Browne.  He  is  not  the  late  governor  of  Sierra  Leone,  nor 
an  Irishman,  but  an  adventurer  of  about  twenty-five.  An- 
glois,  e.  d.  in  the  navy,  and  of  equivocal  character.  Am  go- 
ing to  bed  at  half  past  twelve. 

7.  At  twelve  to  Graves's,  with  more  medals  and  coins ; 
a  packet  full  as  large  as  the  former,  and  I  have  still  left  to 
the  amount  of  half  that  packet.  I  can't  tell  you  how  much 
1  am  surprised  at  this  quantity.  But  Graves  had  no  more 
money  to  advance.  Got  one  guinea,  which  will  do  for  Des- 
saules  to-morrow.  D.  M.  R.  came  in,  and  we  walked  a  few 
minutes.  Gave  him  six  shillings.  Called  and  left  your 
little  ring-watch  with  Joyce.  He  says  the  pieces  of  glass 
have  got  inside,  and  there 'must  be  a  thorough  cleaning  ;  so 
that  this  will  probably  be  a  guinea  job.  Home,  and  took  my 
rice  and  milk,  and  then  went  to  Godwin's,  where  took  tea 
with  the  children  in  their  room.  At  nine  to  Graves's,  where 
stayed  till  eleven.  Supped  on  bread,  cheese,  and  a  glass  of 
porter.  Home  at  half  past  eleven.  This  is  the  first  time 
of  being  out  so  late.  At  Graves's  got  a  letter  from  Shef- 
field, mate  of  the  Vigilant,  who  says  that,  on  examining  the 
Vigilant,  she  is  found  so  rotten  that  he  thinks  she  will  be 
condemned.  So  that  I  have  not  lost  much  by  being  re- 
fused a  passage.  Bad,  very  bad  news  from  Liverpool. 
The  ship  on  which  I  had  set  my  heart  has  changed  her 
destination,  and  will  neither  go  to  the  Havannah  nor  to 
New-Orleans.  This  is  a  grievous  disappointment  to  me, 
for  I  had  become  fascinated  with  that  voyage  by  Havannah 
to  New-Orleans.  Am  now  pretty  much  resolved  to  get  to 
Liverpool  so  soon  as  I  shall  have  the  means,  and  there  wait 
events.  There  are  five  chances  from  Liverpool  to  one 
from  London.  Ought  to  finish  Capt.  J.'s  letter,  but  am  fit 
for  naught  this  evening  but  financing  and  projecting. 

Already  half  past  one,  and  shall  set  up  an  hour  reading 
a  parcel  of  newspapers  which  have  brought  from  Godwin's. 


340  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

Have  also  made  to-day  two  trips  over  to  Gonin's.  At  the 
second,  met  him  in  the  street.  He  had  my  repeater  in  his 
pocket,  finished,  and  perfectly  well.  He  would  put  no  price, 
which  is  a  mode  of  asking  tenfold ;  which,  however,  was 
this  time  a  bad  calculation.  Gave  him  twenty-three  shil- 
lings, which  was  very  well  for  two  hours'  work.  He  was 
not  tres  content,  but  civil.  Wished  much  to  give  him  £5 ; 
but  I  have  reserved  barely  enough  to  pay  ma  hotesse  next 
Wednesday  ;  when,  for  aught  that  now  appears,  we  shall 
be  again  on  the  sans  sous  establishment.  I  hope  to-morrow 
to  finish  with  Dessaules  this  perpetual  vexation.  I  think  I 
must  have  walked,  within  the  last  thirty  months,  more  than 
one  thousand  leagues  on  that  matter.  I  am  horribly  afraid 
of  that  Joyce.  He  has  a  little  the  ways  of  a  sharper  under 
his  Quaker  garb. 

8.  Fanny,  whom  of  all  the  family  I  trust  to  make  me  tea, 
gave  it  rather  too  strong  last  night,  and  I  was  vigil  till 
past  four.  At  twelve  to  Ehns's,  the  dentist,  to  learn  who 
was  this  Fisher  who  had  twice  called  on  me.  Find  he  is  a 
young  man  in  the  employ  and  under  the  patronage  of  Elms. 
Went,  and  had  a  confabulation  of  an  hour  with  him.  He 
seems  disposed  to  treat  and  to  give  something,  but  fear  it 
will  be  too  little.  Will  call  to-morrow,  when  I  am  to  state 
terms  and  give  further  elucidations.  To  Dessaules's;  to  my 
great  regret,  he  was  out.  This  comes  of  sleeping  late,  for 
I  had  agreed  to  be  there  at  eleven.  On  to  J.  B.'s,  where  met 
D.  M.  R.  waiting  for  me.  He  had  a  note  from  Brunell,  re- 
questing him  and  me  to  come  out  to  his  house  on  Wednesday 
morning  about  the  shoe  affair,  to  which  I  agreed.  R.  Mor- 
ris then  came  to  confer  about  the  affairs  of  E.  A.  C.  We 
talked  an  hour,  and  I  agreed  to  meet  him  at  E.  A.  C.'s  this 
evening  at  eight  o'clock.  Home.  Rice  and  milk  for  din- 
ner. Read  newspapers,  and  smoked  till  seven.  Called  at 
Godwin's  to  leave  the  Gazette,  and  to  give  William  a  gooden 
grochen  which  I  had  promised.  On  over  Blackfriars'  Bridge 
and  past  the  Obelisk  to  Prospect  Place.  Madame  C.,  la  mere 


OF    AARON    BURR.  341 

de  E.  A. ;  an  elder  sister  of  E.  A.,  pretty  and  genlille  ;  two 
daughters  of  M.,  one  of  them  grown;  un  petit  gar9on  de 
E.  A.  of  two  years  old.  Took  tea  and  stayed  till  nine  ;  then 
home.  Found  at  J.  B.'s  another  card  from  Lovett,  and  a 
ticket  of  admission  to  the  gallery  of  the  Parliament  House 
from  a  member,  by  his  procurement.  Have  not  finished  my 
letter  to  Captain  J.  Think  of  setting  about  it  now ;  half 
past  ten. 

9.  Finished  last  night  my  letter  to  Captain  J.,  and  took  it 
this  morning  to  the  Godwins'  to  get  one  of  the  m'lles.  to 
copy.  Madame  charged  herself  with  the  copying  and  trans- 
mission to  Madame  F.,  who  is  to  forward  it  in  her  own  name. 
Then  to  Koe's  office  to  get  him  to  go  with  me  to  try  to  get 
some  copies  of  the  Elements  of  Packing,  a  book  thought 
too  severely  true  on  the  courts  and  judges  to  admit  of  selling 
it  here.  K.  thought  best  to  go  first  himself.  Then  to 
Graves's.  The  ship  Beaver,  that  in  which  I  had  hoped  to 
go  to  Havannah  and  New-Orleans,  has  changed  her  destina- 
tion, and  will  go  only  to  Oporto.  This  is  particularly  unfor- 
tunate, as  the  owner  at  Liverpool  is  disposed  10  be  civil  to 
me.  Called  on  Joyce.  His  language  portends  a  most  ruin- 
ous bill ;  but  there  is  no  getting  the  articles  out  of  his  hands, 
for  he  has  had  the  wit  to  take  them  all  to  pieces.  Being 
hungry,  came  home  at  three,  and  ate  p.  d.  t.  Then  away 
for  my  rendezvous  with  Fisher,  the  dentist.  He  had  desired 
me  to  come  prepared  to  make  a  final  proposition.  I  was 
prepared,  and  had  little  doubt  of  getting  more  than  one  hun- 
dred guineas.  But  some  trifling  objection  had  occurred,  and 
he  was  quite  off.  So  fails  that  hope.  Intended  to  have 
gone  to  Dessaules's,  and  to  have  given  him  a  guinea  for  some 
small  changes  which  I  wished  to  his  work ;  but,  seeing  a 
prospect  of  hard  times,  thought  better  to  keep  my  guinea, 
and  came  directly  home  at  half  past  five.  Have  been  read- 
ing trifling  things ;  ruminating  on  the  state  of  the  nation ; 
eating  supper,  i.  e.,  tea,  &c.,  and  have  had  half  an  hour's  em- 
ployment by  overturning  my  table,  on  which  is  my  writing- 


£»42  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

ease,  which  is  stuffed  full  of  choses  ;  by  the  fall  it  burst  open 
and  displayed  some  hundreds  of  articles.  Attempting  to 
save  the  case,  I  overset  myself  arid  the  table,  with  candle, 
pitcher,  &c.,  &c.  The  noise  alarmed  the  family  who  live 
in  the  cellar-kitchen,  two  stairs  below  me,  and  the  three  fe- 
males came  up  in  fright,  but  all  was  darkness,  for  my  can- 
dle was  out.  There  is,  however,  no  injury  that  will  cost 
money,  except  sixpence  for  the  pitcher:  Mais  voila,  in 
gathering  up  the  ruins  I  find  a  sixpence. 

10.  Castella  came  in  at  ten,  and  sat  an  hour  talking  while 
I  made  my  toilet,  &c.,  &c.  Walked  together  to  J.  Ben- 
tham's,  where  I  only  inquired  for  letters.  None.  Then  we 
continued  by  Spring  Gardens,  through  Pall  Mall,  to  look  at 
Carleton  House,  which  was  built  for  the  prince,  I  believe, 
thirty  or  forty  years  ago.  He  now  occupies  it.  A  row  of 
pillars  in  front,  about  forty  or  sixty  feet  from  the  building, 
has  a  good  effect,  but  wants  ornament  on  the  top.  The 
portico  of  the  house  is  handsome.  The  prince  now  inhabits 
it.  Close  by,  on  the  left,  lives  his  daughter  la  princesse. 
Farther  on,  to  the  right,  opposite  James's-street,  is  St.  James's 
Palace,  looking  like  an  old  tavern.  Near  this,  and  left  of  it, 
not  on  the  street,  but  on  the  park,  is  a  house  built  by  the  na- 
tion for  the  Great  Marlborough,  whose  descendants  disgrace 
the  name  and  title.  Then  through  Manchester  Square  and 
Portman  Square  to  George's-street,  Portland  Square,  No.  44, 
where  called  on  James  Lawrence,  author  of  "  The  Kingdom 
of  the  Nairs."  Introduced  myself  as  one  who  had  read  his 
book  with  pleasure,  and  wished  to  know  the  author.  He 
inquired  if  I  were  related  to  the  famous  General  Burr.  He 
had  been  at  Weimar,  and  we  knew  there  the  same  people. 
The  D'Imhoffs,  Bertucks,  Eggloffsteins,  Reizensteins,  the 
ducal  family,  M'lle.  Gore,  &c.,  &c.  I  stayed  an  hour,  and 
he  seemed  pleased  with  the  visit.  He  appears  about  forty 
two,  small,  fair  hair  and  eyes,  a  flat  face ;  of  sprightly,  easy 
manners.  Nothing  striking  in  his  physiognomy.  We  shall 
doubtless  meet  again.  Then  to  Madame  Thorpe's,  where 


OF    AARON    BURR  343 

met  Mr.  Wyatt,  brother  of  the  two  architects,  and  son  of  the 
architect.  We  met  by  appointment,  that  he  might  show  me 
the  model  made  by  his  brother  (I  will  learn  the  name)  for 
Drury  Lane  Theatre.  The  general  appearance  is  magnifi- 
cent beyond  anything  I  have  seen  of  a  theatre,  and  the  distri- 
bution and  conveniences  are  elegant  and  surprising.  The 
model,  which  is  on  a  scale  of  two  feet  to  an  inch,  is  a  per- 
fect representation,  in  miniature,  of  a  theatre,  and  so  contri- 
ved that  you  see  into  every  apartment.  Nothing  is  omitted. 
Every  column  is  fluted,  and  the  capital  curved  as  intended 
en  grande.  Every  window  actually  glazed  ;  every  step  per- 
fect ;  the  doors  panelled,  and  opening  and  shutting  on  their 
hinges.  The  seats  cushioned.  Little  lamps  and  lustres 
wherever  lamps  and  lustres  were  to  be ;  and,  that  I  might 
have  a  perfect  idea  of  the  appearance  it  would  have  within, 
all  these  lamps  were  actually  lighted  and  burned.  He  told 
me  that  this  model  cost  two  thousand  five  hundred  pounds 
sterling,  about  eleven  thousand  dollars.  The  building  is 
three  hundred  feet  long,  the  width  not  recollected.  I  thank- 
ed Mr.  W.  very  cordially.  Home  at  half  past  three,  and, 
after  reposing  half  an  hour,  to  Godwin's  to  dine,  where  met 
by  appointment  Mr.  Hume,  who  has  published  a  translation, 
much  esteemed,  of  Tasso.  A  very  small,  spare  man  of 
about  fifty ;  a  most  benevolent  and  amiable  countenance, 
and  a  very  agreeable  companion.  After  tea  we  played  a 
rubber  of  sixpenny  whist,  and  I  won  one  and  sixpence. 
Home  at  nine. 

Walking  in  the  street  to-day,  the  Bishop  of  Norwich  was 
pointed  out  to  me.  He  is  remarkable  as  being  the  only 
bishop  who  has  spoken  and  voted  in  favour  of  the  emanci- 
pation of  the  Irish  Catholics. 

You  see,  my  dear  Theodosia,  that  nothing  has  been  done 
or  attempted  to-day  on  finance.  Mr.  Godwin,  however,  has 
found  a  purchaser  for  Bayle  and  Moreri  at  sixteen  guineas. 
I  was  in  hopes  of  twenty-five  ;  but,  seeing  that  they  cost  me 

less  than  three  guineas,  I  ought  not  to  complain.     J.  Hug. 
VOL.  II.  22 


344  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

called  just  after  I  had  gone  out,  and  wrote  here  a  note. 
Begs  to  see  me.  Fear  there  is  trouble.  Mr.  Graves  called 
before  I  came  in  this  evening.  Hope  he  has  something  to 
communicate,  but  cannot  see  him  before  to-morrow  evening, 
being  engaged  to  go  with  D.  M.  R.  to  Chelsea  to-morrow, 
and  assist  at  a  conference  on  the  shoe  matter. 

11.  Was  up  before  seven,  and  at  D.  M.  R.'s  by  nine.  I 
had  engaged  to  go  with  him  to-day  to  Brunell's  (Chelsea), 
as  I  believe  I  told  you.  He  had  not  breakfasted.  Gave 
him  rendezvous  at  J.  Bentham's,  and  went  on  to  J.  H.'s,  whom 
saw  a  minute,  and  appointed  to  take  coffee  with  me  at  four. 
On  to  J.  B.'s,  where  an  hour  alone.  D.  M.  R.  came.  We 
walked  to  Chelsea,  which,  from  my  quarters,  is  about  six 
miles.  But  look  at  your  map.  Was  two  hours  at  Brunell's 
talking  over  the  shoe  business.  Home  at  half  past  three. 
On  the  way  saw  an  affiche  on  a  window :  "  a  metallic  compo- 
sition which  would  melt  in  hot  water,  and,  on  cooling,  be  again 
as  hard  as  silver,  at  sixteen  shillings  per  pound."  Bought 
a  piece  for  eighteen  pence,  and  have  tried  it.  All  very  true. 
It  is  with  a  composition  of  this  kind  that  the  police  of  France 
take  the  impression  from  the  seal  of  a  letter,  and,  after  peru- 
sing the  letter,  seal  it  again  with  the  writer's  own  seal. 
Home  at  three.  Boiled  rice  for  dinner.  But,  as  J.  H.  has 
a  very  good  appetite,  bought  half  a  pound  of  viande,  eight- 
pence.  J.  H.  came  at  half  past  four.  We  took  coffee,  &c. ; 
gave  her  my  new  metal  to  try  if  it  would  travailler.  She 
has  suffered  no  sort  of  inconvenience  from  the  fracas  with 
le  frere,  which  relieves  me  greatly.  Escorted  her  home, 
and  then  to  Graves's.  Perhaps  I  never  told  you — yes,  now 
I  remember,  I  did — of  the  pledging  my  gold  repealer  and  a 
medallion  watch  to  Capt.  J.  for  twenty-five  pounds,  payable 
on  demand.  He  called  to-day  on  Graves  for  the  money. 
Now,  shall  I  sacrifice  them  for  twenty-five  pounds,  or  try  to 
redeem  them  ?  They  would  readily  fetch  two  hundred  dol- 
la.  s  in  the  United  States,  which  is  about  double  this  twenty 
five  pounds.  Yet,  if  I  should  make  out  to  redeem  them,  I  may 


OF    AARON    BURR.  345 

be  obliged  to  sell  them  at  still  greater  loss  to  get  off.  Must 
decide  in  the  morning.  Graves  told  me  also  that  I  had  got 
into  the  London  papers ;  but  in  what  way  he  did  not  say, 
nor  did  I  inquire.  On  that  subject  I  never  manifest  the 
slightest  curiosity.  Home  at  eight,  and  have  been  a  full 
hour,  with  the  aid  of  my  little  attendant,  hunting  for  them. 
At  length  I  dismissed  her,  and,  after  searching  in  every  prob- 
able and  improbable  place,  knowing  that  I  had  them  when  I 
came  in  (for  I  had  taken  a  parcel  out  of  my  trunk  and  laid 
it  on  my  table),  I  resolved  to  dress  myself  again,  being  in 
my  nightgown  and  slippers,  come  in  as  from  abroad,  and  en- 
deavour to  go  through  the  same  motions;  so  put  on  my 
boots,  my  cravat,  coat,  and  waistcoat,  and  then  took  up  my 
hat  to  sally  forth — out  tumbled  the  keys.  You  see  what 
important  avocations  occupy  the  time  of  Gamp, 

12.  Sat  up  till  past  two,  perusing  a  long  statement  of  the 
affairs  of  E.  A.  C.,  and  writing  thereon.  Wrote,  also,  notes 
to  D.  M.  R.  and  Graves.  Went  this  morning  before  ten  to 
Capt.  Johnson's.  He  consents  to  take  the  watches  to  the 
United  States,  and  to  receive  the  money  there  at  par  of  ex- 
change, which  is  about  fifteen  per  cent,  gain  to  him.  Then 
to  Graves's,  to  get  him  to  inquire  about  a  vessel  going  to 
Boston,  in  which  I  am  disposed  to  take  a  passage,  if  every- 
thing should  suit.  To  the  custom-house  to  get  Bayle  and 
Moreri.  The  officer  said  that,  if  I  took  them  out  to  use  here, 
I  must  pay  duty,  which  would  amount  to  more  than  double 
the  original  cost.  Went  then  to  the  office  of  Mr.  Cooper, 
the  solicitor,  who  on  the  former  occasion  was  so  civil  to  me. 
Unfortunately,  he  was  out;  so  that  must  rest  for  another 
day.  To  Joyce's,  the  watchmaker.  Be  assured  he  means 
to  swindle  me  horribly.  Said  the  ring-watch  cannot  be 
done  in  ten  days.  Talks  of  the  great  trouble  and  difficulty, 
&c.,  &c.  Home  to  receive  D.  M.  R.,  who  was  to  call  at 
three  ;  but  he  came  not.  To  Godwin's,  where  was  engaged 
to  dine,  and  to  go  with  them  to  the  Lyceum  Theatre.  They 
had  tickets  gratis  from  the  author.  After  dinner  ran  off  to 


346  PRIVATE  JOURNAL 

Graves's  again,  to  hear  his  report  about  the  Boston  ship, 
The  report  is  favourable,  and  he  will  sail  next  week.  It  re- 
mains to  be  known  what  is  the  temper  and  disposition  of 
the  captain.  To  ascertain  this,  shall  to  Johnson  in  the 
morning.  Graves  had  had  an  offer  of  fifteen  shillings  per 
dozen  for  the  Seltzer  water  ;  this  being  less  than  the  ori- 
ginal cost,  I  refused.  Back  to  Godwin's  ;  took  tea.  H.  Hop- 
wood  came  in,  and  we  six  went  to  the  play.  The  "  Hypo- 
crite," an  imitation  from  Moliere,  and  "  Turner,"  a  new  farce. 

We  were  amused,  and  laughed  a  good  deal.     Mrs. ,  the 

principal  character  in  the  play,  from  sudden  indisposition, 
did  not  appear,  and  her  part  was  read  by  another.  She  did 
as  well  as  possible  for  reading.  In  the  farce,  Miss  Duncan 
did  perfectly  well.  The  two  hypocrites,  or,  rather,  the  hyp- 
ocrite and  the  fanatic,  were  admirably  well  performed  in 
the  play.  The  carriage-hire  cost  me  three  shillings.  Home 
quarter  before  twelve. 

I  have  been  thinking  seriously  of  writing  to  Lord  Bal- 
gray  about  the  state  of  finance.  Nothing  short  of  the  ap- 
prehension of  never  getting  off  could  induce  me  to  think  of 
such  a  thing. 

13.  Rose  before  seven.  Got  breakfast,  and  was  at  Capt. 
Johnson's  before  nine.  He  had  not  seen  the  consul,  but 
had  got  some  particulars  about  the  Newburyport  ship.  She 
will  do  if  the  master  will  do.  Of  that  Capt.  J.  will  inquire. 
To  Koe's  office,  Lincoln's  Inn  Fields.  He  had  done  nothing 
about  the  "  Art  of  Packing."  On  to  Graves's.  He  had 
naught  to  say,  and  had  done  nothing  with  the  Seltzer  water. 
Then  on  to  see  Mr.  Cooper,  at  the  custom-house,  near  the 
Tower,  to  get  Bayle  and  Moreri.  Mr.  Cooper  had  so  to- 
tally forgotten  my  person  and  business,  that  it  took  some 
time  to  awaken  his  recollection.  He  says  the  intention  of 
the  order  io;  'hat  my  books  may  be  exported  as  part  of  my 
baggage  without  paying  the  entrance  duty;  but,  if  taken 
out  of  the  custom-house  for  use  or  sale,  the  duties  must  be 
paid.  The  duties  on  Bayle  and  Moreri  would  amount  to 


OF  AARON  BURR.  347 

seven  guineas  ;  so  there  is  an  end  of  that  resource.  (Before 
this,  had  called  on  D.  M.  R.,  and  got  him  to  address  and 
transmit  a  notice  of  the  Seltzer  water  to  ten  of  the  most 
eminent  physicians.)  Home  from  the  custom-house  at  one, 
and,  after  an  hour,  to  Godwin's,  to  escort  Fan.  to  Lancaster's 
school ;  as  we  were  to  lose  our  dinner  by  the  excursion,  she 
got  me  oysters,  bread  and  butter,  and  porter ;  on  which 
dined.  All  the  oysters  I  have  eaten  in  Europe  have  that 
vile  copper  taste  which  Europeans  love  and  we  abhor. 
Fan.  and  I  took  our  walk.  A  boisterous,  chilly  day.  Were 
received  with  great  civility  by  Mrs.  Picton,  the  principal, 
and  Mr.  Cross,  the  director,  and  by  Miss ,  the  direc- 
tress of  the  girls'  school.  Were  shown  all  that  could  be 
shown  in  two  hours.  Offal  five.  A  squall  of  snow.  Bought 
for  you  a  book  giving  an  account  of  the  mode  of  instruction, 
four  shillings.  I  am  more  and  more  charmed  with  it, 
they  all  seem  so  cheerful  and  happy.  A  negro  boy,  aged 
about  nine,  arrived  from  Africa  five  months  ago,  not  knowing 
a  word  of  the  English  language,  and  having  never  heard  of 
Messieurs  A.  B.  C.  He  now  writes  a  fair,  legible  hand, 
and  has  made  some  progress  in  arithmetic.  Saw  Fan. 
home,  and  then  came  to  my  den  and  made  me  tea.  Though 
I  drank  but  half  the  pint  of  porter,  it  brought  on  sickness 
and  headache  ;  yet  for  four  months  after  my  arrival  I  never 
drank  less  than  a  pint  a  day  ;  often  a  quart,  and  then  thought 
it  agreed  wonderfully  with  me. 

At  seven  to  Capt.  Johnson's.  He  had  seen  Capt.  Potter, 
who  is  willing.  Huzza  !  Capt.  J.  says  he  is  just  my  man, 
and  will  manage  the  embarcation  in  the  way  I  wish.  Capt. 
J.  offers  me  a  letter  of  introduction  to  his  brother  in  Boston, 
and  says  I  shall  lodge  there,  or,  if  I  prefer,  at  his  house  in 
Kingston,  thirty  miles  from  Boston,  to  which  port  Capt.  P. 
is  bound.  But  he  sails  on  Wednesday  next.  Will  it  be 
possible  for  me  to  find  the  means  so  soon  ?  Am  almost 
giddy  with  the  hope  of  approaching  you  and  Gam'lo,  and 


348  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

feel  as  if  I  were  already  on  the  way,  though  no  resource  yet 
offers  itself.  Yes,  I  will  go. 

Home  at  half  past  eight,  and  found  here  D.  M.  R.,  who 
had  made  himself  a  dish  of  coffee.  Took  one  with  him, 
and  talked  and  read  papers  about  his  shoe  affair  till  half  past 
ten.  Let  my  fire  go  out,  and  have  been  a  full  hour  rekin- 
dling it.  Now  two  o'clock.  Wrote  a  note  this  evening  to 
R.  Morris  about  the  affairs  of  E.  A.  C.,  giving  him  rendez- 
vous to-morrow  at  one  at  Q.  S.  P.  Don't  like  much  to  write 
to  him. 

14.  Rose  at  seven.  To  Capt.  Potter's,  at  the  Minories, 
about  three  miles,  by  ten.  He  was  out,  which,  perhaps,  was 
fortunate,  for  I  hear  that  the  house  is  full  of  Americans,  by 
some  of  whom  it  is  probable  I  should  have  been  known. 
To  Joyce's  for  the  ring-watch.  Not  done.  That  trinket 
must  get  me  off,  and  yet  I  fear  the  ship  will  go  before  I  get 
it.  To  Fox's,  a  dentist  tres  celebre.  Saw  his  partner, 
who  did  not  seem  greatly  to  value  the  inventions  of  Fonzi. 
He  invited  me  to  call  again  to  see  Mr.  F.,  which  I  shall  not 
do.  To  a  shop  in  Wood-street,  where  bought  ten  shillings 
of  platina.  My  last  bill,  having  only  four  shillings  left,  and 
not  having  paid  my  week's  account,  due  last  Wednesday,  I 
designedly  omitted  to  call  for ;  having  the  money  ready,  I 
could  safely  make  the  experiment  now,  long  before  it  would 
be  demanded.  To  Graves's.  Out.  Wrote  him  to  see  Potter 
for  me,  and  bring  him  to  his  house  to  meet  me.  To  Koe's  of- 
fice. Nothing  done  about  the  book  on  Packing.  To  Des- 
saules's.  Out,  or  reported  to  be  out.  Sorry  for  it.  No  other 
man  can  do  so  well  my  business.  To  D.  M.  R.'s  ;  sent  up  a 
note  which  I  wrote  at  Koe's,  and  he  came  down.  Got  of 
him  sixteen  shillings.  On  to  Q.  S.  P.,  and  there  waited 
till  three,  but  R.  Morris  came  not.  To  Capt.  Johnson's ; 
he  gave  me  a  kind  letter  to  his  brother  in  Boston,  and  an- 
other to  his  wife,  who  is  at  Kingston,  near  Plymouth,  where 
the  captain  says  I  may  be  at  home  as  long  as  I  please. 
The  captain  went  off  to  Liverpool  this  day.  Home.  Din- 


OF    AARON    BURR.  349 

ner  p.  d.  t.,  and  some  of  the  half  pound  of  meat  bought 
nearly  a  week  ago.  You  see  how  little  I  am  carnivorous. 
After  dinner  to  Graves's.  He  had  not  seen  Potter,  but  will 
call  at  his  house  early  to-morrow  morning.  To  Godwin's. 
He  was  out.  Madame  and  les  enfans  up  stairs  in  the  bed- 
room, where  they  received  me,  and  I  drank  tea  with  his  en- 
fans.  Stayed  till  near  ten,  and  then  home  with  a  parcel  of 
newspapers,  which  I  have  been  reading.  Asked  for  my  bill 
this  evening,  and  have  paid  it,  fifteen  shillings  and  twopence 
halfpenny,  and  one  shilling  and  sixpence  to  ma  petite  me- 
nagere.  Terribly  afraid  of  vigils  to-night,  for  Jane  made 
my  tea,  and,  I  fear,  too  strong.  It  is  only  Fan.  that  I  can 
trust.  Must  be  up  early  for  affairs  which  you  will  see  to- 
morrow. One  o'clock.  I  never  go  to  bed  but  with  regret, 
and  by  violence  to  myself.  Forgot  to  say  that,  after  writing 
you  last  night  at  two  (this  morning),  qu.,  when  was  that? 
resolved  to  write  to  Lord  Balgray.  Wrote  my  letter,  and, 
on  coming  in  to-day,  copied  and  gave  it  to  the  postman  ;  the 
bellman  he  is  called.  But  only  gave  him  (Lord  B.)  a  hint, 
historically,  vide  the  copy.  These  bellmen  go  through  ev- 
ery part  of  the  city,  two  hours  before  the  closing  of  the  mail, 
to  collect  letters,  which  saves  you  the  trouble  of  sending  your 
letter.  You  pay  the  bellman  one  penny.  Bespoke  two  pairs 
of  pantaloons  to-day  ! 

15.  Slept  from  two  till  near  nine.  Very  ill  done,  Mr. 
Gamp.  I  waked,  indeed,  and  was  disposed  to  get  up ;  but 
it  was  cold,  and  had  no  materials  for  making  fire.  Did  not 
get  to  J.  Bentham's  till  past  eleven.  R.  Morris  had  been 
and  gone.  There  was  no  appointment  between  us ;  but  I 
knew  he  would  call,  and  wished  to  charge  him  with  the  sale 
of  la  montrebague,  les  rubans,  et  les  medailles,  et  mon- 
naies,  when  redeemed.  D.  M.  R.  put  this  in  my  head,  and 
says  he  is  more  able  than  any  man  living  to  do  it.  I  have 
no  doubt  of  his  willingness,  seeing  how  much  pains  I  have 
taken  about  his  E.  A.  C.  Wrote  him  note  and  left  it  at  his 
lodgings,  giving  rendezvous  for  eleven  to-morrow.  Then  to 


350  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

Graves's.  Out ;  but  had  left  me  note,  saying  that  he  had 
appointed  Captain  Potter  to  call  at  seven  P.  M.  Home. 
Rice  and  milk  for  dinner.  D.  M.  R.  came  in  and  sat  an 
hour.  Then  came  J.  H.  and  took  coffee.  Off  to  Graves's, 
and  at  seven  came  in  Captain  Potter,  of  the  ship  Aurora. 
He  agrees  to  take  me  for  thirty  guineas  paid  here,  and  to 
give  me  a  stateroom.  I  accepted  the  proposal;  am  to 
pay  the  money  on  Wednesday,  and  embark  at  Deal,  under 
the  name  of  Arnot,  about  Sunday.  Now  where  this  money 
is  to  come  from  is  a  thing  yet  to  be  discovered  ;  but  I  shall 
go  on  with  my  preparations  just  as  if  there  were  no  manner 
of  doubt  on  that  head.  The  captain,  Potter,  is  a  small,  still, 
discreet-looking  man,  of  about  thirty-six,  who,  I  believe,  will 
keep  my  secret,  but  who  would  not  go  three  yards  to  do  me 
good  or  harm.  He  appears  sober,  good-tempered,  and  intel- 
ligent, and  is  said  to  be  an  excellent  mariner.  Thence  to 
Godwin's,  where  played  an  hour  at  whist,  and  lost  one  shil- 
ling and  sixpence,  which  I  was  unable  to  pay,  having  only 
eightpence  au  monde  ;  but,  as  madame  recollected  that  she 
owed  me  threepence,  she  took  credit  on  account.  Home  at 
half  past  nine.  Have  been  writing  a  great  many  notes  and 
making  memorandums  of  what  I  have  to  do.  You  see  I  am 
in  earnest.  Yes,  I  will  go ;  I  will  see  you  and  Gampillo,  if 
I  am  hanged  for  it  next  day.  Now  will  I  make  a  cipher  let- 
ter of  two  lines  to  you  to  announce  the  fact. 

16.  Up  before  seven  and  without  fire,  though  much  the 
coldest  day  these  two  months.  Sor.  at  nine  to  Joyce's,  the 
watchmaker;  two  brothers,  twin  knaves.  Nothing  done. 
They  told  me  twenty  lies  about  the  great  difficulty  of  getting 
a  glass.  The  watch  is  taken  to  pieces,  and  I  am  wholly  in 
their  power ;  they  mean  to  swindle  me  out  of  two  or  three 
guineas  for  doing  nothing,  and,  what  is  worse,  I  shall  not  get 
possession  of  the  thing  in  time  to  aid  me  off.  To  Graves's 
a  few  minutes,  and  then  to  J.  Bentham's.  R.  Morris  came 
punctually  at  eleven,  and,  after  talking  an  hour  of  the  affairs 
of  E.  A.  C.,  I  talked  of  my  own.  He  cheerfully  undertook, 


OF  AARON  BURR.  351 

but  did  not  much  encourage  me.  I  gave  him  les  rubans, 
and  am  to  meet  him  again  at  one  to-morrow,  When  shall 
give  him  all  my  merchandise,  and  a  poor  little  remnant 
of  seven  yards  and  a  half,  which  I  had  folded  up  nicely,  and 
sealed  and  addressed  to  you,  resolving  to  rescue  so  much 
from  the  catastrophe.  R.  M.  thought  he  could  do.  some- 
thing with  the  coins  and  medals.  So  went  back  to  Graves's, 
only  a  league,  and  redeemed  them,  by  pledging  in  their  stead 
the  silver  repeater  (Harry's).  It  was  expressly  bought  for 
him,  and  intended  as  an  acknowledgment  of  his  fidelity  and 
courage.  But,  on  the  way,  called  on  Koe.  He  had  done 
nothing  about  the  "  Art  of  Packing."  D.  M.  R.  met  me  at 
three  at  Graves's,  and  we  took  dinner  at  our  beer-house,  for 
which  he  paid,  I  not  having  a  penny.  After  dinner  went 
again  to  the  Joyces'.  They  told  me  the  same  lies  over  again 
about  breaking  six  glasses,  &c.,  &c.,  but  will  fix  no  time 
when  I  can  have  it.  It  was  with  difficulty  I  forbore  to  call 
them  rascals  to  their  face  ;  but,  then,  they  would  undoubtedly 
spoil  it  from  malice.  Gave  D.  M.  R.  the  medals  and  the 
remnant  of  cambric  to  give  immediately  to  R.  Morris,  as 
they  live  in  the  same  neighbourhood.  Home,  cursing  the 
Joyces  all  the  way. .  I  was  this  morning,  too,  at  Godwin's 
to  return  gazettes;  and  I  have  been  two  hours  trying  to 
make  all  my  possible  resources  amount  to  the  sum  barely 
necessary  to  get  me  off.  Can't  make  it  out,  even  on  paper, 
without  your  ring-watch,  and  that  I  shall  not  get  in  season, 
if  at  all.  Did  not  write  to  you  last  night  as  was  proposed. 
Happened  to  get  engaged  in  arranging  this  history  of  Robin- 
son Crusoe,  and  I  am  really  ashamed  to  send  you  such  a 
mass  of  dull  repetition  and  inanity.  When  I  go  to  bed  and 
get  up,  and  where  I  go  and  do  nothing,  and  come  home  and 
do  nothing.  The  only  good  to  be  expected  from  it  is  that 
it  will  bring  to  recollection  many  little  incidents  which  may 
amuse  ;  but  let  me  go  and  contrive  to  get  money.  Bon  soir. 
17.  A  little,  leetle  ray  of  hope.  But  let  us  go  on,  as  usual, 
chronologically.  Ten  minutes  before  seven.  Wrote  let- 


352  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

ters  to  Theodosia,  to  S.  Swartwoul,  to  Reeves,  and  was  at 
Graves's  before  eleven.  He  being  out,  gave  him  written 
instructions  how  to  address  and  forward  the  letters.  Then 
to  Koe's.  He  hal  finally  made  an  attempt  to  get  a  copy  of 
the  Art  of  Packing,  but  the  printer  would  on  no  account  let 
a  single  copy  go,  so  afraid  is  he  of  prosecution.  On  to  J. 
Bentham's,  and  at  one  came  R.  Morris.  We  talked  of  E. 
A.  C.'s  affairs  and  then  of  mine.  He  had  sold  the  remnant 
of  cambric  for  a  guinea  a  yard,  and  gave  me  ten  pounds.  I 
then  put  into  his  hands  eight  handkerchiefs  of  the  same  ba- 
tiste to  dispose  of,  being  also  those  which  had  been  folded 
up,  sealed,  and  addressed  to  you.  The  rubans  and  monnaies 
not  yet  sold,  but  he  has  hopes.  Thus  am  I  obliged  to  plun- 
der you  and  Gampillo  to  the  very  last  article.  Engaged  to 
meet  E.  A.  C.  at  R.  Morris's,  and  dine  there.  It  being 
now  only  two  o'clock,  came  home.  After  much  inquiry, 
found  in  this  neighbourhood  a  person  who  grinds  glasses  for 
watches,  &c.  Gave  him  the  form  of  the  glass  required  for 
the  ring-watch.  He  said  he  would  make  one  for  two  shil- 
lings, and  that  I  could  have  it  to-morrow  morning ;  but  it 
was  necessary  he  should  have  the  watch  to  take  exactly  the 
form  and  size.  And  yet  the  Joyces  have  kept  me  thirteen 
days,  pretending  the  amazing  difficulty  of  getting  a  glass  of 
that  form ;  that  their  workman  has  made  as  many  essays, 
but  can't  yet  succeed.  Shall  go  to-morrow  morning  and 
make  another  attempt  to  get  it  out  of  his  hands,  but  almost 
despair,  and  am  sure  of  a  most  exorbitant  charge.  The  great 
watchmakers  (walchsellers),  and  the  venders  of  manufac- 
tures of  all  sorts,  do  nothing  themselves  or  at  their  own 
houses.  All  the  nice  work  is  done  by  starved  wretches  who 
live  in  dens  and  garrets.  None  of  these  venders  will  on 
any  account  give  you  the  address  of  one  of  these  workmen. 
No,  they  themselves  will  get  it  done  for  you,  and  then  charge 
you  from  four  to  ten  times  the  cost. 

I  have  omitted  to  tell  you,  in  due  order  of  time,  that,  while 
at  Graves's  this  morning,  there  came  a  man  about  the  Sell- 


OF    AARON    BURR.  353 

zer  water,  and  offered  one  and  eightpence  per  bottle,  or  twen- 
ty shillings  the  dozen.  Am  to  give  an  answer  to-morrow, 
choosing  to  wait  one  day  to  see  if  no  better  offer.  At  this 
rate  it  will  bring  five  pounds,  which  I  suppose  will  about 
pay  those  rascally  Joyces.  At  half  past  five  to  R.  Morris's. 
Madame  was  already  there,  and  very  handsome.  Stayed  till 
half  past  seven.  To  Godwin's,  where  took  tea  with  the 
children,  who  always  have  it  at  nine ;  Mr.  and  Madame  at 
seven.  Walked  half  an  hour  with  Mr.  G.  in  the  street,  and 
home  at  half  past  ten ;  and,  while  I  write,  am  frozen  stiff; 
so  let  me  make  more  fire.  Not  quite  so  economical  with 
dix  livres  a  la  poche. 

18.  Had  done  breakfast  and  shaved  before  eight.  Cas- 
tella  came  in,  and  he  made  breakfast  for  himself.  Sat  till 
half  past  ten.  Wrote  note  to  D.  M.  R.  requesting  him  to 
meet  me  at  Graves's  at  twelve.  I  went  thither  at  eleven  to 
meet  my  captain,  and  he  came ;  says  he  shall  clear  out  to- 
morrow, and  my  baggage  must  be  on  board.  He  spelt  a 
little  for  his  thirty  pounds,  but  I  did  not  pay  it  for  two  good 
reasons  ;  first,  that  I  had  but  my  ten  pound  note ;  and,  sec- 
ond, that  if  I  had  had  a  thousand  pounds  should  have  pre- 
ferred to  delay  the  payment  till  the  last  moment,  lest  some- 
thing might  happen  to  stop  me  or  him.  Agreed  to  meet 
again  to-morrow  evening  at  eight.  Then  walked  with  D. 
M.  R.  to  put  your  letter  and  others  for  the  United  States 
into  the  letter-bag  of  the  "  Rowland,"  but  found  she  would 
not  sail  till  Friday,  and  so  kept  the  letters ;  but,  passing  the 
South  Carolina  Coffee-house,  called  to  inquire  of  a  ship  just 
arrived  from  Charleston.  Could  not-  hear  of  her,  but  heard 
of  one  just  going,  the  Ceres,  Captain  Callender,  a  very  fine 
ship  of  three  hundred  tons.  Immediately  thought  of  quit- 
ting my  little  Yankee,  and  going  in  the  Ceres  direct  to  your 
door.  Lord,  how  I  was  delighted  with  this  idea.  We  could 
not  find  the  captain.  Went  again  to  Graves's,  who  was  out. 
Wrote  him  to  find  Callender  for  me  and  to  make  the  neces- 
sary inquiries.  Then  to  Godwin's  a  few  minutes,  and  on 


354  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

to  Madame  Thorpe's.  My  letter  to  Captain  Jewett  arrived 
at  Plymouth  one  hour  after  Mr.  Browne  had  sailed,  and  was 
returned  to  Madame  Thorpe.  Sat  an  hour.  She  gave  me, 
or,  rather,  I  took  a  little  note  she  had  written  me,  but  not 
yet  sealed  or  directed,  about  the  book  I  had  lent  her,  "  The 
Kingdom  of  the  Nairs."  Home.  Bought  twopence  worth 
of  biscuit,  which  ate  on  the  way,  and  then  had  tea  at  four. 
At  six  over  the  river  to  E.  A.  C.'s,  and  there  till  eight  read- 
ing over  her  papers.  Then  to  Graves's.  He  had  faithfully 
obeyed  my  orders.  The  Ceres  is  not  yet  unJaden,  and  her 
destination  not  quite  certain.  There  is  one  inconvenience 
in  quitting  Potter.  He  has  the  secret  of  my  name,  &c., 
and  no  doubt  would  publish  it  the  moment  I  left  him.  On 
the  other  hand,  it  will  cost  me  one  hundred  dollars  to  get 
from  Boston  to  Charleston,  delay  me  a  month,  and  thus 
bring  me  into  the  bad  season,  and  you  will  be  gone  to  the 
mountains.  In  this  dilemma  events  must  determine  me. 
Graves  will  make  further  inquiries  to-morrow  about  the 
Ceres,  and  then  we  must  resolve.  I  will  not  leave  the  cer- 
tainty of  Potter  without  a  certainty  of  the  Ceres.  Drank 
tea  a  second  time  at  E.  A.  C.'s,  and  took  bread,  cheese,  and 
porter — very  little  porter — at  Graves's.  Home  at  eleven, 
which  is  so  unusual  an  hour  for  me  that  the  family  were 
concerned  lest  some  accident  had  happened  to  me. 

I  took  D.  M.  R.  with  me  to-day  to  the  Joyces'.  I  will  not 
relate  any  more  of  their  conversation,  but  think  I  shall  get 
the  ring-watch  to-morrow.  They  begin  to  suspect  that  I 
am  not  quite  so  ignorant  as  they  at  first  imagined.  Truly 
I  begin  to  feel  as  if  I  were  going,  though  the  means  are  not 
yet  discovered.  Shall  work  hard  to-morrow.  The  last  night 
was  the  coldest  this  winter.  The  drains  and  gutters  were 
this  morning  frozen  solid,  which  has  not  happened  since  my 
arrival. 

19.  No  progress  made  to-day,  though  one  of  great  d;li- 
gence.  Rose  before  seven.  To  D.  M.  R.'s,  where  left  a 
note,  he  being  in  bed.  On  to  R.  Morris's.  He  had  done  no 


OF    AARON    BURR.  355 

thing  further,  except  sold  one  medal  for  one  guinea.  To 
Reeves's,  to  get  my  passport  altered,  and  to  get  a  certificate 
that  I  was  authorized  to  assume  the  name  of  Arnot  or  any 
other.  He  consents  to  all,  but  did  nothing.  Will  do  it  to- 
morrow, &c.  Got  from  him  a  note  to  one  of  the  clerks  in 
parliament  to  procure  me  admission  to  the  House  of  Lo^ 
this  evening,  when  an  interesting  debate  was  expected.  To 
J.  Bentham's.  Nothing  there.  To  the  Parliament  House. 
After  long  search,  found  the  clerk,  who  said  he  would  try, 
but  doubted  whether  it  would  be  possible  to  get  me  in,  there 
being  already  so  many  permits.  To  D.  M.  R.'s,  and,  being 
a  little  tired  and  a  little  hungry  (now  half  past  twelve),  went 
with  him  to  a  beer-house,  where  took  some  porter,  bread, 
and  cheese  (ninepence),  among  about  a  dozen  labourers, 
&c.  On  to  Koe's,  to  talk  about  E.  A.  C.  To  Graves's. 
The  captain  had  been  twice  there,  saying  that  he  could  not 
clear  out  his  ship  till  my  things  were  on  board.  Graves 
and  I  went  out  to  see  further  about  the  "  Ceres"  Saw  the 
owner,  Basinghalist.  He  says  she  will  positively  sail  for 
Charleston  wilhin  eight  days.  She  is  a  much  finer  ship 
than  the  Aurora.  Sent  Graves  to  hunt  the  captain  of  the 
Ceres,  to  know  terms,  &c.,  and  I  went  on  towards  Lime- 
house,  below  the  West  India  Dock,  and  three  miles  and  a 
half  from  the  Exchange.  Was  fortunate  enough  to  get  into 
a  stagecoach  the  greater  part  of  the  way  for  one  shilling. 
Had  a  deal  of  inquiry  and  hunting  for  two  hours  to  find  the 
Aurora.  Finally  found  her,  and,  for  one  shilling  and  six- 
pence, got  on  board.  Everything  is  very  plain,  not  very 
neat,  but  the  ship  seems  tolerably  good,  and  my  cabin  has 
a  skylight,  and,  though  very  small,  may  be  made  tolerably 
comfortable.  The  mate  says  they  shall  positively  sail  to- 
morrow. Took  some  lemonade  and  smoked  a  pipe  at  a 
tavern,  one  shilling  and  sixpence.  Got  a  ride  again  to  Lead- 
enhall-street.  Stopped  at  Joyce's.  Ring-watch  not  done. 
Tremble  for  the  bill.  There's  no  help.  To  Graves's.  He 
had  not  been  able  to  find  Callender.  Being  engaged  to  meet 


356  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

my  Captain  Potter  this  evening,  left  it  to  Graves  to  make 
an  apology,  and  came  on  home.  Ordered  fire  and  teakettle, 
and  went  to  the  glass-grinder's  to  get  a  "  lunette"  put  into 
my  silver  repeater,  which  I  borrowed  of  Graves  for  the  pur- 
pose. Got  also  a  spare  glass,  and  paid  for  both  four  shil- 
lings. Home.  Took  my  coffee.  Wrote  note  to  Mrs. 
Thorpe,  excusing  myself  from  taking  tea  with  her  to-morrow 
as  I  had  engaged.  Also  a  note  to  Graves.  Drew  a  will  for 
D.  M.  R.,  and  made  some  notes  on  the  affairs  of  E.  A.  C. 
Now  one,  and  leave  with  regret  a  fine  fire  to  go  to  a  cold 
bed.  Do  not  yet  see  how  I  am  to  get  off.  To-morrow  may 
produce  something.  Gave  D.  M.  R.  twenty  shillings.  Paid 
my  bill,  nineteen  shillings  and  eleven  pence.  Bought  a  pair 
of  pantaloons  which  I  did  not  want,  twenty  shillings.  My 
ten  pounds  is  reduced  to  six.  And  thus  I  progress. 

20.  Rose  before  seven.  To  J.  B.'s  at  half  past  eight,  to 
breakfast.  Snowing  and  blowing  most  tempestuously.  A 
walk  of  a  league  in  such  weather  gives  one  a  good  appetite. 
Koe  told  me  he  breakfasted  at  eight,  but  would  wait  for  me 
till  half  past  eight.  It  was  a  quarter  past  nine  before  I  got 
breakfast,  and  then  by  violence.  Had  engaged  to  meet  D. 
M.  R.  there  at  ten,  and  thence  to  walk  with  him  on  his 
business  to  Chelsea.  He  came  not.  At  eleven  to  R  M.'s. 
Out;  for  which  was  very  sorry.  Wrote  him  note.  To 
Reeves's.  He  altered  my  passport,  and  gave  me  a  line  al- 
lowing me  to  assume  any  name.  To  D.  M.  R.  He  was 
quite  astonished  that  I  should  turn  out  in  such  weather. 
Gave  him  an  errand  to  do  for  me,  and  went  on  to  Graves's. 
He  had  done  nothing.  Had  not  seen  Callender.  Was  not 
at  home  to  apologize  to  Potter  when  he  called  last  evening. 
Potter  left  a  note,  saying  that  my  things  must  be  all  on  board 
at  ten  this  morning.  To  Joyce's.  Got  the  ring-watch  ! 
but  did  not  get  the  bill.  Left  the  silver  repeater,  which  had 
stopped  already.  They  were  very  jealous  to  see  a  lunette 
in  it,  and  at  once  said  the  man  had  spoiled  the  watch  in  put- 
ting it  in  To  Godwin's,  and  left  the  ring-watch  with 


OF   AARON    BURR.  357 

madame  for  sale.  Then  on  towards  Castella's,  where  had 
engaged  to  dine.  Being  at  Lessom  Grove,  beyond  Padd'ing- 
ton,  about  five  miles  from  Graves's,  treated  myself  to  two 
shillings  worth  of  coaching,  and  got  there  at  four.  We  were 
en  famille,  as  agreed,  and  talked  over  our  Mexican  affairs, 
&c.,  &c.  Off  at  seven,  and  took  it  leisurely.  The  storm 
and  the  cold  had  abated.  Got  to  Graves's  at  nine.  He  had 
seen  Callender,  who  will  be  glad  to  take  me,  and  has  not, 
that  he  could  learn,  any  exceptionable  person  on  board ;  but 
asks  £45,  which  staggers  me,  for,  as  yet,  no  means  are 
found  of  getting  even  the  £30  for  Potter.  But  have  got 
£10  to-day  in  a  very  strange,  and  not  altogether  a  very 
pleasant  way.  When  at  Reeves's,  I  offered  him  my  Bayle 
for  £10;  he  asked  why  I  would  sell  it;  told  him  that  I 
wanted  the  money  ;  he  agreed  to  take  it ;  gave  me  the  £10, 
and  said,  "  You  had  better  keep  your  Bayle,  and  send  me 
the  £10  when  you  please."  The  thing  was  so  sudden  and 
unexpected,  that  I  was  not  prepared  to  say  anything. 

Got  home  from  Graves's  at  ten.  Have  been  washing  my 
feet,  and,  in  bearing  too  hard  on  the  pail,  the  bottom  came 
out  and  has  inundated  my  room.  Do  tell  me  what  to  do 
between  this  Callender  and  Potter.  Have  weighed  the  pros 
and  cons,  and  am  still  undetermined.  But  perhaps  Potter 
has  already  sailed,  and  thus  I  shall  be  spared  the  trouble  of 
deliberating. 

21.  Can  never  get  to  bed  before  half  past  one.  Rose  be 
fore  seven.  Wrote  several  notes,  and  was  at  Graves's  at 
half  past  eight,  the  hour  at  which  he  said  they  breakfasted ; 
but  they  were  yet  asleep  (so  went  first  to  Godwin's  to  see 
what  madame  had  done  about  the  ring-watch  ;  she  was  still 
abed,  but  had  left  a  note  for  me.  She  had  spent  the  whole 
day  in  running  about  town  for  me  without  the  smallest  pros- 
pect of  success.  Not  an  offer  of  any  sort.  The  city  is  full 
of  all  sorts  of  bijous  and  watches,  in  the  hands  of  distressed 
emigres  from  France  and  Germany.  She  could  not  get  an 
offer.  So  took  the  thing  into  my  own  possession).  Now 


358  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

to  go  on.     The  Godwin's  got  up  and  made  me  breakfast, 
and  then  Mr.  G.  went  out  with  me  on  a  tour  of  discovery. 
First  to  the  London  Docks,  which  you  will  see  are  below 
the  Tower.     Made  the  complete  circuit  of  the  docks,  and 
also  of  the  basin,  before  we  found  the  Ceres.     At  length 
found  her,  and  the  captain  aboard.     Rather  a  surly-looking 
fellow,  and,  from  his  manner  of  viewing  me,  suspect  he 
knows  me.     His  price  is  £45,  paid  here.     A  small  state- 
room and  ship's  fare.     Alongside  lay  the  brig  Atlantic,  Cap- 
tain Green,  also  from  Charleston,  and  to  sail  in  eight  days. 
A   little,    coarse    thing,   but   could    be    made   comfortable. 
Made  no  arrangement.     Then  to  the  custom-house  to  see  if 
Potter  had  cleared  out.     He  had  cleared  out  and  the  vessel 
gone.     Then  cruising  among  the   coffee-houses    to   learn 
whether  Potter  himself  had  gone,  and,  after  much  search 
(for  we  did  not  like  to  go  to  his  lodgings),  found  that  he  was 
still  in  town,  and  would  not  go  till  Monday.     Then  hunted 
up  Captain  Green,  and  I  paraded  the  streets  while  Graves 
went  and  conversed  with  him.     He   is  not  brother  of  T. 
Green,  as  I  had  hoped.     Asked  also  £45,  and  will  only  give 
a  birth  and  ship's  fair.     He  is  therefore  out  of  the  question. 
Then  resolved  to  go  with  Potter,  if  my  cabin  was  still  vacant, 
and  sent  Graves  to  hunt  him,  but  he  could  not  find  him  ;  and 
thus  the  thing  must  lay  over  till  to-morrow,  which  is,  in 
fact,  no  loss  of  time,  as  my  things  cannot  be  got  from  the 
custom-house  till  Monday,  and  then  with  some  additional 
expense.     Then  to  R.  Morris's  about  the  affairs  of  E.  A. 
C.,  and  also  those  of  A.  Burr.     He  had  sold  the  remnant  of 
cambric  for  twenty  shillings  per  yard ;  but,  instead  of  eight 
yards,  as  I   supposed,  says   there  were  only  four.     Quod 
mirum.     Had  sold  the  ribands  for  the  pitiful  sum  of  sixty- 
five  shillings,  or  three  guineas  and  two  shillings.     Had  sold 
one  medal  for  one  guinea,  and  the  eight  handkerchiefs  at 
sixteen  shillings  apiece,  which  is  very  well.     He  gave  me 
another  £10.     Then  to  Q.  S.  P.  to  hunt  for  more  things. 
Took  your  eight  pairs  of  beautiful  silk  stockings,  and  all  the 


OF    AARON    BURR.  359 

fine  cambric  handkerchiefs,  only  five,  and  could  find  nothing 
else  saleable.  There  were,  indeed,  two  pairs  silk  stockings, 
which,  as  well  as  yours,  were  made  to  measure  which  I 
gave ;  but  nothing  could  be  had  for  them,  and  thus  the  little 
rascal  will  save  them.  Again  to  R.  Morris's.  He  was 
out,  but  left  the  things  sealed  up  and  addressed  to  him.  It 
was  now  half  past  five.  Was  so  solicitous  about  Potter, 
that  resolved  to  see  Graves  this  evening.  Thither  walked. 
He  was  out,  but  rnadame  said  he  had  not  seen  Potter 
Home  at  half  past  nine,  and  am  now  about  to  eat  the  rice 
which  I  had  ordered  to  be  ready  for  me  at  four,  and  which 
was  then  ready  ;  for  they  are  very  punctual.  I  learned  also 
at  Graves's  that  the  Seltzer  water  was  sold  for  five  pounds. 
You  see  there  is  a  little  progress  to-day,  but  the  watch  affair 
is  a  sad  disappointment.  To-morrow,  as  nothing  can  be 
done,  have  agreed  to  go  with  Godwin  to  dine  with  his  friend 
Hume,  at  Kensington. 

22.  Resolving  to  reform.  Couche  at  twelve.  Rose  at  six, 
an  hour  before  the  family  siirred.  Dressed  sans  fire,  and  at 
eight  to  Captain  Potter's,  at  the  Minories.  He  was  just  up. 
The  vessel  has  not  sailed.  My  cabin  is  still  vacant.  He 
goes  on  Tuesday  morning,  and  I  have  engaged  to  go  with 
him.  What  a  day  of  bustle  will  be  to-morrow !  though  I 
have  been  here  six  months  having  nothing  to  do,  yet  ev- 
erything is  now  to  be  done  in  twenty-four  hours.  It  seems 
I  must  always  move  in  a  whirlwind.  Then  to  Graves's  to 
get  breakfast.  They  were  all  asleep,  and  I  was  too  hungry 
to  wait.  On  to  Godwin's  ;  found  him  at  breakfast,  and  joined 
him.  Madame  abed.  After  breakfast,  home.  To  Kynas- 
ton's,  the  glass-grinder,  to  get  something  done  to  a  repeater. 
He  could  not  do  it.  Then  asked  him  to  make  some  spare 
glasses  for  the  ring-watch.  He  could  not  do  it  in  season  ;  but 
he  knew  the  watch,  and  it  is  him  who  was  employed  by  the 
Joyces,  and  about  whom  they  told  me  so  many  lies.  They 
paid  him  one  shilling  and  sixpence.  To  Joyce's,  Lombard- 
street  Exchange,  to  get  the  other  watches.  All  out.  To 

VOL.  II.  23 


360  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

D.  M.  R.'s,  Covent  Garden.  After  hearing  something  of 
his  wheel-carriages  and  steamboat,  and  his  distress  at  my 
departure,  sent  him  of  some  errands  for  me,  and  then  I  waited 
for  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Godwin,  as  agreed.  They  came  at  two. 
We  walked  out  to  Hyde  Park  Gate,  and  then  took  a  hack  to 
Hume's,  where  dined.  A  very  good  dinner.  A  neat  little 
house  and  garden.  Seven  children ;  the  five  younger  hand- 
some. Off  at  eight,  and  walked  in  to  St.  Giles's,  about  four 
miles.  We  separated  at  Hatton  Garden,  and  I  got  home  at 
half  past  nine.  Have  made  and  drank  tea,  and  am  now  going 
to  consider  what  is  most  necessary  to  be  done.  Shall  not 
write  you  again  in  London.  Shall  be  too  busy  to  think  of 
you.  No,  that's  a  lie.  Shall  think  of  nothing  else  but  you 
and  Gam'lo.  It  is  you  that  animate  and  impel  me. 

23.  Got  breakfast,  and  was  at  Graves's  at  half  past  eight. 
The  captain  came  at  nine,  persisting  in  going  to-morrow 
morning.  Paid  him  twenty-five  pounds,  of  which  Graves 
advanced  fifteen  pounds.  To  Joyce's  for  the  watches.  I 
had  expected,  with  horror,  an  enormous  bill  of  three  or  four 
guineas.  His  bill  is  eight  pounds  twelve  shillings  !  I 
choked  and  was  petrified ;  but  remonstrance  and  scolding 
would  have  been  vain.  Took  the  silver  repeater,  and  left 
your  picture-watch  till  the  bill  should  be  paid,  for  I  had  only 
twenty  shillings,  and  Graves  nothing.  Much  fear  I  shall  not 
be  able  to  redeem  it.  Home.  Graves  procured  and  sent 
me  a  porter.  Packed  up  my  small  lumber  which  I  have 
here,  and  sent  him  off  with  it  to  Q.  S.  P.,  and  I  followed. 
Castella,  who  came  in,  and  made  himself  breakfast  while  I 
was  out,  walked  with  me  to  Charing  Cross ;  but  went  out 
of  the  way  to  call  on  the  Godwins.  Stopped  at  R.  Morris's 
in  hopes  of  the  money  he  had  promised.  He  had  not  a 
penny.  On  to  Q.  S.  P. ;  packed  all  up  with  aid  of  the  por- 
ter, and  sent  them  off,  under  his  care,  to  the  custom-house. 
I  then  came  home,  got  dinner,  and  at  six  walked  off  in  the  rain 
to  Madame  Thorpe's,  about  a  league,  having  written  her  this 
morning  that  I  would  lake  tea  with  her.  The  children  were 


OF    AARON    BURR.  361 

all  at  home  except  Ralph,  and  all  love  me  except  the  eldest 
boy,  who  "  loves  mutton."  Off  at  eight ;  raining  hard,  got 
wet.  Home  at  nine.  But  I  have  not  told  you,  one  tenth  part 
of  the  running  I  have  had  to-day.  It  does  not  seem  possible 
for  me  to  go  without  twenty  pounds  more,  and  I  do  not  yet 
see  where  a  shilling  of  it  is  to  come  from.  Have  again  sent 
out  the  ring-watch  by  Graves,  who  is  to  try  what  can  be  done 
with  it.  Yet,  don't  be  discouraged,  mes  enfans,  for  I  will  go. 
24.  Have  a  great  deal  to  tell  you  (though  little  or  nothing 
good,  not  a  penny  of  money),  but  have  no  time.  Must  write 
to  New-Orleans  by  a  ship  going  to-morrow  morning.  Let 
us,  however,  say  something.  Breakfasted,  and  to  Graves's 
at  half  past  eight.  Captain  came  at  nine,  and  will  not  leave 
town  till  to-morrow.  I  may  stay  till  next  day  if  I  then  take 
an  early  stage.  At  eleven  to  the  custom-house  with  some 
solicitude  ;  for,  first,  the  vessel  having  cleared  out,  there  was 
difficulty  anticipated  in  the  embarcation  of  my  baggage ; 
second,  the  change  of  name  from  Burr  to  Arnot ;  third,  the 
quantity  being  thirteen  trunks,  boxes,  and  portmanteaus,  with- 
out entering  into  details,  all  passed  smoothly ;  not  a  trunk,  nor 
box,  nor  any  one  parcel  was  opened  or  examined.  It  is  all 
embarked  on  board  a  lighter,  and  am  left  without  any  change 
of  clothes  save  a  single  shirt;  and,  without  twenty  pounds  at 
least,  it  will  be  impossible  for  me  to  foll-ow  my  baggage  or 
to  get  back  my  passage-money.  From  the  custom-house  to 
Graves's,  where  found  a  note  from  A.  announcing  her  re- 
turn ;  but  she  had  been  five  days  in  town.  Replied,  promis- 
ing to  call  on  her.  Then  home.  At  three  to  Godwin's,  and 
then  on  towards  J.  Bentham's.  Called  on  A.  Koe  was 
there.  Stayed  one  minute.  Learned  that  there  was  some- 
thing wrong,  and  went  on  to  Q.  S.  P.,  where  had  engaged 
to  take  a  parting  dinner.  He  was  extremely  kind,  and  after 
dinner  opened  his  heart,  and  told  me  a  long  story  which  he 
ought  to  have  told  from  day  to  day  as  things  happened.  There 
is  not  only  a  rupture,  but  a  most  terrible  eclat,  all  which 
could  have  been  prevented  if  I  had  been  in  confidence.  The 


362  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

story  is  very  long,  and  you  will  laugh  a  great  deal  when  I 
tell  it  you.  Took  affectionate  leave  of  J.  Bentham,  who  will 
love  me  the  better  for  this  little  wandering  of  his  heart,  and 
for  the  manner  in  which  I  have  treated  the  thing.  D.  M.  R. 
came  in  as  I  had  appointed  him,  and  we  walked  together. 
He  had  seen  R.  Morris,  but  got  nothing,  and  scarcely  the 
least  hope  from  that  quarter.  This  P.  M.  called  on  Reeves, 
and  gave  a  hint  of  the  state  of  the  treasury,  but  he  did  not 
take  it.  Home  by  way  of  Godwin's,  where  took  tea.  Got 
home  at  ten. 

How  very  awkward  would  be  my  position  if  the  Aurora 
should  sail  without  me.  Without  a  rag  of  clothes,  or  a  penny 
of  money,  or  anything  to  make  money  of  (yes,  the  ring- watch ; 
Graves  can  do  nothing  with  it),  I  should  be  truly  en  philo- 
sophe  or  en  pelerin.  Bon  soir,  mes  enf. 

25.  Rose  and  got  breakfast  early,  and  off  to  Graves's  to 
see  about  the  captain's  movements.  He  had  gone,  actually 
gone,  and  left  word  that  I  must  be  at  Gravesend  to-morrow 
at  noon,  the  hour  the  tide  serves,  or  lose  my  passage.  The 
case  was  now  nearly  desperate,  twenty  pounds  being  the 
very  least  sum  that  would  clear  me  out.  Off  to  R.  M.'s  ; 
he  had  not  a  penny  for  me  ;  had  not  sold  your  silk  stockings 
nor  the  medals,  but  he  had  sold  the  ribands  for  the  pitiful 
price  of  two  shillings  and  sixpence  per  yard,  and  the  pro- 
duce does  not  pay  his  advances.  How  much  I  do  regret  this 
bagatelle  of  ribands.  There  were  thirty-six  yards  ;  that  is, 
six  different  kinds  of  six  yards  each,  chosen  by  myself  at 
the  Palais  Royal  for  you ;  and  they  were  really  so  pretty, 
and  would  have  pleased  you  so  much.  But  pardon,  my  dear 
Theo.,  what  could  I  do  ?  Everything  must  go,  or  I  must 
stay. 

Every  resource  had  now  failed.  Resolved  on  a  desperate 
and  humiliating  experiment.  Went  direct  to  Reeves,  and 
told  him  that  the  ship  was  gone  to  Gravesend,  and  that  I 
must  lose  my  passage  unless  I  could  have  twenty  pounds. 
Without  a  word  of  reply,  he  drew  a  check  on  his  banker  for 


OF    AARON    BURR.  363 

twenty  pounds  ;  and  how  I  did  gallop  across  the  park  to  the 
said  banker's  to  get  my  twenty  pounds.  The  first  money  I 
laid  out  was  to  buy  four  half  eagles  and  one  doubloon,  to- 
gether amounting  to  thirty-six  dollars,  about  eight  pounds 
seven  shillings  ;  so  that,  on  landing  in  America.  I  might  be 
able  to  get  on  to  you,  or  wherever  else  it  might  be  my  des- 
tiny to  go.  This  disabled  me  from  taking  up  your  picture- 
watch  ;  so  that,  after  all  the  trouble  and  money  that  toy  has 
cost  me,  I  shall  not  have  the  pleasure  of  offering  it  to  you. 
From  the  banker's  to  General  McCarthy's  to  take  leave.  He 
is  a  good  fellow,  and  is  just  going  to  Bourbon  as  paymaster- 
general  to  the  British  forces  in  that  quarter.  Found  the 
whole  family  together,  and  parted  a  1'amiable.  Charged  him 
with  my  excuses  and  adieus  to  the  Bartlett  family,  from 
whom,  you  perceive,  I  have  experienced  no  civilities  since 
my  last  advent ;  but  they  are  an  amiable,  friendly,  hospitable 
family.  Doubtless  they  have  heard  reports  respecting  me — 
what,  I  know  not — which  render  me  an  object  to  be  avoided  ; 
and  for  crediting  them  I  do  not  blame  them.  Home  to  pay 
some  little  bills,  &c.,  and  then  to  the  Godwins',  where  dined. 
Found  here  a  note  from  R.  Morris,  returning  the  six  pairs 
white  stockings  as  not  saleable,  being  too  small ;  but  the 
black,  two  pairs,  he  had  sold  for  two  guineas,  which  just  about 
pays  his  advances  ;  I  therefore  received  nothing.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Godwin  would  not  give  me  their  account,  which  must 
be  five  or  six  pounds  ;  a  very  serious  sum  to  them  ;  they  say 
that,  when  I  succeed  in  the  world,  they  will  call  on  me  for 
help.  To  Graves's.  Note,  I  owe  him  about  fifteen  pounds, 
and  he  also  is  gene  ;  he  consents  to  let  that  remain,  and  has 
promised  that  he  will,  in  a  few  days,  redeem  the  picture- 
watch,  which  remains  in  the  hands  of  those  rascals,  the 
Joyces  ;  hope,  therefore,  that  at  some  future  day  you  may 
see  it.  Left  also  with  Graves  the  ring-watch,  and  a  selec- 
tion of  the  coins  and  medals,  the  best  of  them,  as  you  may 
suppose,  by  way  of  security  for  the  twenty  five-pounds  which 
I  shall  owe  him.  He  offers  to  go  with  me  to  Gravesend  to 


364  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

see  me  on  board,  which  is  kind  and  acceptable.     Took 
note  of  a  stage  to  go  at  nine  to-morrow  morning.     Then 
home. 

And  now,  at  twelve,  having  packed  up  my  little  residue 
of  duds  into  that  same  unfortunate  white  sack,  and  stowed 
my  scattering  papers  into  my  writing-case,  I  repose,  smo- 
king my  pipe,  and  contemplating  the  certainty  of  escaping 
from  this  country,  the  certainty  of  seeing  you.  Those  are 
my  only  pleasing  anticipations.  For  as  to  my  reception 
in  my  own  country,  so  far  as  depends  on  the  government,  if 
I  may  judge  from  the  conduct  of  their  agents  in  every  part 
of  Europe,  I  ought  to  expect  all  the  efforts  of  the  most  im- 
placable malice.  This,  however,  does  not  give  me  a  mo- 
ment's uneasiness.  I  feel  myself  able  to  meet  and  repel 
them.  My  private  debts  are  a  subject  of  some  little  solici- 
tude ;  but  a  confidence  in  my  own  industry  and  resources 
does  not  permit  me  to  despond,  nor  even  to  doubt.  If  there 
be  nothing  better  to  be  done,  I  shall  set  about  making  money 
in  every  lawful  and  honourable  way.  But  again,  as  to  po- 
litical persecution.  The  incapacity  for  every  purpose  of 
public  administration  of  our  present  rulers,  and  their  total 
want  of  energy  and  firmness,  is  such,  that  it  is  impossible 
that  such  feeble  and  corrupt  materials  can  long  hold  together, 
or  maintain  themselves  in  power  or  influence.  Already  there 
are  symptoms  of  rapid  and  approaching  decay  and  dissolu- 
tion. Tell  M.  to  preserve  his  state  influence,  and  not  again 
degrade  himself  by  compromising  with  rascals  and  cowards. 
My  great  and  only  real  anxiety  is  for  your  health.  If  your 
constitution  should  be  ruined,  and  you  become  the  victim  of 
disease,  I  shall  have  no  attachment  to  life  or  motive  to  ex- 
ertion. 

I  forgot  to  tell  you  that  I  called  to-day  on  — — .  We 
took  affectionate  leave  and  swore  eternal  friendship.  Adieu. 
My  next  will  be  from  on  board  ship,  unless  she  should  be 
gone,  and  then  it  may  most  likely  be  from  some  goal— jail. 

Thursday  night.     On  board  the  Aurora,  Captain  Potter, 


OF  AARON  BURR.  365 

bound  for  Newburyport,  now  in  the  Thames,  but  exactly 
where,  cannot  explain. 

March  26,  1812.  Really  on  board,  mes  enfans,  and  thus 
far  on  my  way  to  you.  But  what  a  job  it  has  been.  Let 
me  give  you  an  historical  sketch  of  the  day. 

Rose  this  morning  at  five,  and,  by  the  time  breakfast  was 
ready,  Castella  came  in.  Got  a  porter  to  carry  my  sack  and 
writing-case,  and  set  off  at  eight  for  the  stage-house,  to  be 
sure  to  be  in  good  season.  Arrived  there,  I  was  told,  to  my 
utter  dismay,  that  the  stage  had  gone  at  eight,  the  hour  hav- 
ing been  changed,  of  which  Graves  was  ignorant.  Went 
with  Castella  to  Graves's.  No  other  stage  would  go  till  one. 
Castella  recommended  that  we  should  take  a  postchaise, 
which  would  cost  about  three  guineas ;  but,  not  having  a  quar- 
ter of  that  sum,  and  Graves  not  proposing  to  advance  any  more, 
that  project  was  given  up.  Castella,  indeed,  offered  to  lend 
me  so  much ;  but  he  is  so  poor,  and  having  a  wife  and  two 
children,  that  I  could  not  in  conscience  take  it,  especially 
as  Graves  said  that  the  wind  was  ahead,  and  that  the  ship 
could  not  possibly  move.  So  agreed  to  take  the  stage  at 
one.  Castella  would  have  been  one  of  the  party,  but  had 
an  appointment  of  business  ten  miles  in  the  country.  Call- 
ed and  passed  an  hour  at  the  Godwins'.  That  family  does 
really  love  me.  Fanny,  Mary,  and  Jane,  also  little  William  ; 
you  must  not  forget,  either,  Hannah  Hopvvood,  la  printresse. 
At  eleven  to  Graves's  again.  Took  luncheon,  and  at  half  past 
twelve  to  the  stage-house.  Started  at  one,  and  arrived  at 
five  at  Gravesend.  The  ship  had  sailed  with  the  first  ebb 
at  noon.  The  alien  office  was  shut.  First  we  hunted  up 
the  officer  of  that  department,  and,  having  got  my  passport 
arranged,  and  my  sack  and  writing-case  examined  by  a  cus- 
tom-house officer,  went  out  to  hunt  for  ways  and  means  to 
get  on.  The  boatmen  asked  four  guineas  to  put  me  on 
board.  On  such  occasions  they  always  combine  to  fleece  a 
stranger,  and  will  make  one  pay  four  or  five  guineas  to  be 
put  on  board  a  ship  not  a  quarter  of  a  mile  off.  At  length, 


366  PRIVATE   JOURNAL  • 

however,  Graves  found  a  man  who  was  not  in  the  plot,  who 
offered  to  put  me  on  board  for  two  guineas,  and  to  return 
one  guinea  if  the  ship  should  be  found  within  twelve  miles. 
To  this  I  agreed,  and,  to  get  the  means,  was  obliged  to  draw 
an  order  on  poor  Castella  for  three  guineas.  I  embarked 
just  after  sunset,  the  wind  strong  at  S.  W.  and  very  chilling. 
I  had  no  greatcoat,  and  was  nearly  perished.  Got  down  the 
twelve  miles,  and  heard  that  the  ship  was  at  least  ten  miles 
lower  down.  On  promise  of  some  grog,  got  the  boatmen  to 
stop  at  a  little  tavern  on  the  river-side  to  warm  myself.  I 
was  so  benumbed  that  I  could  not  get  out  of  the  boat,  nor  even 
walk  without  help.  Found  a  good  fire  and  got  a  dish  of  tea. 
As  we  were  going  out  to  the  boat,  the  coxswain  addressed 
me,  "  Now,  sir,  you  recollect  that  our  bargain  was  to  have 
two  guineas  if  the  ship  should  not  be  more  than  twelve  miles, 
and  more  according  to  the  distance."  "  Oh,  yes,"  said  an- 
other of  the  boatmen,  "  that  was  the  bargain,  and  the  gen- 
tleman must  recollect  it."  "  Two  guineas  for  twelve  miles, 
and  so  in  proportion,"  the  other  boatmen  echoed.  Now 
nothing  could  be  more  impudently  false  ;  for,  to  prevent  any 
after-explanation,  I  called  the  men  into  the  tavern  where  I 
was  at  Gravesend,  and  made  them  repeat  over  distinctly  our 
bargain,  in  the  presence  of  Graves  and  of  the  landlord  ;  but 
I  had  no  other  alternative  but  to  submit  to  any  imposition  the 
boatmen  might  please  to  practise.  I  told  them  that  I  would 
satisfy  them  if  they  pulled  smartly,  for  I  was  apprehensive 
that  the  ship  would  get  under  weigh  about  midnight,  when 
the  tide  of  ebb  would  make  again.  Bought  a  bundle  of 
straw  for  ninepence,  which  took  on  board  our  little  wherry, 
and  made  me  a  bed  in  the  bottom  of  the  boat.  The  boat- 
men lent  me  their  greatcoats,  which  I  had  not  before  thought 
to  ask,  and  I  found  myself  well  secured  against  the  chilling 
winds.  In  five  minutes  I  was  sound  asleep,  and  was  un- 
conscious of  anything  till  I  was  waked  to  get  into  the  Auro- 
ra just  at  midnight,  having  come  about  twenty-seven  miles 
in  this  open  boat.  After  some  parleying,  I  got  off  for  three 


OF    AARON    BURR.  367 

guineas,  being  exactly  all  I  had.  The  first  thing  I  learned  on 
getting  on  board  was,  that  some  of  the  London  tide-waiters, 
seeing  the  quantity  of  my  baggage,  and  that  it  had  passed 
without  examination,  concluded  that  there  must  be  treasures 
of  a  seizable  nature,  followed  the  ship  after  she  moved  from 
Gravesend,  then  came  on  board  with  hatchets  and  chisels, 
broke  open  every  one  of  my  trunks  and  boxes,  and  rumma- 
ged to  the  bottom,  but  found  not  the  smallest  article  to  grat- 
ify their  rapacity.  The  only  things  of  that  description  which 
are  still  in  my  possession  are  your  half  dozen  pairs  of  silk 
stockings,  which,  fortunately,  I  had  in  my  pocket.  This 
event  has  consoled  me  a  little  for  the  articles  sold  and  left ; 
for,  had  the  cambric,  the  ribands,  or  one  of  the  watches  been 
found  among  my  things,  they  would  undoubtedly  have  been 
seized  and  forfeited.  These  custom-house  harpies,  then, 
did  me  no  other  mischief  than  that  of  spoiling  six  trunk-locks, 
injuring  the  boxes,  and  putting  the  things  in  sitter  disorder. 
The  captain  says  he  stood  over  them  the  whole  time  to  see 
that  they  stole  nothing. 

All  hands  were  abed  and  asleep  when  I  got  on  board. 
The  captain  and  mate  got  up,  and  also  a  Capt.  Nicholls,  an 
American  mariner,  who  is  passenger.  They  made  me  a 
good  fire,  and,  after  talking  an  hour,  have  all  turned  in,  so 
that  I  have  the  cabin  to  myself;  and,  as  I  had  three  hours  of 
sound  sleep  on  board  the  boat,  and  have  nothing  to  call  me 
up  early  in  the  morning,  I  have  devoted  this  hour  to  you,  to 
show  you  the  conclusion  of  my  English  travels.  I  hope 
never  to  visit  the  country  again,  unless  at  the  head  of  fifty 
thousand  men.  I  shake  the  dust  off  my  feet;  adieu,  John 
Bull.  Insula  inhospitabilis,  as  it  was  truly  called  eighteen 
hundred  years  ago. 

Poor  D.  M.  R.  called  on  me,  and  stayed  about  three* hours 
last  evening ;  that  is,  Wednesday  evening,  at  my  Clerken- 
well  quarters.  He  parted  from  me  in  a  state  of  desponden- 
cy little  short  of  desperation.  I  cannot  think  of  him  with- 
out pain.  There  never  was  a'man  of  more  genuine  honesty 
and  honour. 


368  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

Our  two  captains,  Potter  and  Nicholls,  expect  to  find  war 
with  England  by  the  time  we  arrive  in  the  United  States. 
Indeed,  they  are  seriously  alarmed  lest  war  should  be  de- 
clared before  we  get  home,  and  thus  we  be  exposed  to  cap- 
ture. But  I  have  no  such  apprehensions.  I  believe  that 
our  present  administration  will  not  declare  war.  If  the 
British  should  hang  or  roast  every  American  they  can  catch, 
and  seize  all  their  property,  no  war  would  be  declared  by 
the  United  States  under  present  rulers.  When  Porter's  war 
resolutions  first  came,  I  considered  them  mere  empty,  un 
meaning  wind;  and  thus  all  the  subsequent  measures  are 
merely  to  keep  up  the  spirits  and  coherence  of  the  party 
till  the  elections  should  be  over ;  those  elections  for  state 
legislatures  which  will  decide  the  next  presidential  election. 
But  J.  Madison  &  Co.  began  this  game  too  soon,  and  I 
doubt  whether  all  the  tricks  they  can  play  off  will  keep  up 
the  farce  tilUhe  month  of  May.  I  treat  their  war-prattle  as 
I  should  that  of  a  bevy  of  boarding-school  misses  who  should 
talk  of  making  war ;  show  them  a  bayonet  or  a  sword,  and 
they  run  and  hide. 

Now  at  some  future  day  we  will  read  this  over,  and  see 
whether  I  know  those  folks.  I  did  not  dare  write  such 
things  while  on  shore,  for  I  never  felt  perfectly  secure 
against  another  seizure. 

Capt.  Potter  only,  of  all  on  board  this  ship,  knows  me ; 
so  far,  at  least,  as  I  am  informed.     I  came  on  board  under 
the  name  of  Arnot,  and  am  so  called.     It  will  be  very  won 
derful  if  this  secret  should  be  kept  during  the  whole  passage 
Salut.     Bon  nuit. 

Friday,  March  27,  1812.  On  board  the  ship  Aurora,  of 
Newburyport,  Captain  Potter,  bound  to  Boston,  now  at  an 
chor  in  the  Thames,  twenty-six  miles  below  Gravesend. 

Lay  down  in  my  clothes  at  three  and  slept  till  eleven. 
Wind  S.E.  Have  lain  at  anchor  all  day.  I  have  been  oc- 
cupied in  fitting  up  my  cabin,  and  have  made  some  progress. 
Have  got  my  berth  enlarged,  and  got  an  excellent  writing- 


OF    AARON    BURR.  369 

table,  i.  e.,  some  boards  fitted  to  my  mind  against  the  parti- 
tion. The  captain  has  put  in  a  skylight,  and  in  a  few  days 
I  shall  be  better  fitted  up  than  I  was  on  board  the  Vigilant. 

The  dramatis  persona?  on  board  is  as  follows.  1st'.  The 
captain,  small  in  stature,  quiet.  Always  speaks  in  a  low 
tone  of  voice,  and  speaks  but  little.  May  be  about  thirty- 
three  years  of  age.  A  Yankee. 

2d.  A  person  named  Smith,  with  his  wife  and  three  small 
female  children.  The  oldest  about  five.  Has  the  appear- 
ance of  a  mechanic ;  probably  a  tailor.  That  would  be  con- 
venient. Father,  mother,  and  children  have  ordinary  phys- 
iognomy— rather  vulgar. 

3d.  Captain  Marvin,  an  American,  from  New-England. 
His  countenance  resembles  that  of  his  cat,  but  without  its 
wickedness.  This  is  all. 

Seeing  that  it  is  impossible  for  me  to  amuse  myself  in 
conversation  with  these,  I  shall  have  the  more  time  to  de- 
vote to  reading  and  to  your  entertainment. 

It  is  remarkable  that  I  have  never  written  you  a  word  at 
sea.  On  my  voyage  to  England  I  had  no  room,  only  the  third 
part  of  a  very  small  one  ;  and  there  being  twenty-six  passen- 
gers in  a  very  small  cabin,  it  was  impossible  to  write  a  word 
without  being  overlooked.  On  board  the  Vigilant  I  had, 
indeed,  every  convenience;  but,  in  the  first  place,  I  was  not 
free  of  apprehension  that  my  papers  might  be  seized,  which 
imposes  such  a  restraint  as  renders  writing  no  longer  famil- 
iar. One  must  weigh  every  sentence  in  the  scale  of  the  en- 
emy for  the  time  being  or  in  expectancy ;  and,  second,  J.  H. 
and  madame  kept  me  in  employment  and  amusement.  None 
of  these  impediments  or  excuses  now  exist,  and  therefore  it  is 
really  intended  to  keep  a  nautical  journal  of  this  voyage. 
You  must  expect  to  hear  only  the  observation  of  latitude  (as 
to  longitude,  it  is  beyond  our  science,  and  we  have  no  in- 
strument but  the  quadrant),  the  wind  and  weather,  and  our 
progress,  which  would  be  merely  a  copy  of  the  mate's  log- 
book. Cold,  chilling  weather.  Rain  in  the  evening. 


370  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

28.  Wind  at  west.     A  breeze,  cold,  rainy.     Couche  at 
twelve.     Rose  at  half  past  five.     Had  a  good  sleep  in  my 
new  berth,  and  with  my  own  bedding.     Found  the  wind  had 
changed,  but  said  nothing.     About  eight  the  pilot  waked 
and  we  got  under  weigh.     Note,  while  a  pilot  is  on  board, 
he  has  the  entire  command  of  the  ship.     The  captain  can- 
not give  an  order  except  about  eating  and  the  interior  police. 
His  authority  seems  limited  to  the  cabouse.     We  made  only 
five  miles,  and  cast  anchor  off  Margate,  but  distant  about 
three  miles.     The  coast  presents  a  continued  white  cliff. 
Margate,  famous  as  a  summer  resort  for  idlers,  has  nothing 
inviting  from  this  point  of  view. 

Evening.     The  wind  blows  a  gale,  and  we  roll  most  un- 
comfortably.    Chilly,  mist,  and  occasionally  rain. 

29.  Have  not  weighed  anchor  all  day.     Wind  continues 
southwest.     A  gale,  mist,  rain,  chilly.    These  dates  have 
got  confused,  and  I  cannot  rectify  them.     We  certainly  came 
to  anchor  off  Deal  on  Sunday  P.  M. ;  for  the  captains  Potter 
and  Nicholls,  who  went  on  shore,  could  purchase  nothing 
because  it  was  Sunday.     We  lay  in  the  same  position  all 
Monday,  but  the  wind  was  so  violent  that  there  was  no  go- 
ing on  shore,  and  thus  I  bought  nothing,  nothing  for  my 
comfort  on  the  voyage.     The  wind  at  northwest.     Weighed 
anchor  at  eight.     Passed  the  North  Foreland  and  South 
Foreland.     Still  white  cliffs,  but  here  and  there  interrupted 
by  a  beach.     Off  Deal  at  twelve.     Always  in  company  with 
the  Rowland,  bound  to  New-York,  by  which  I  have  written 
you.     The  Rowland  and  the  Aurora  are  often  within  a  few 
yards  of  each  other,  which  I  like  not,  being  known  to  sev- 
eral on  board  the  Rowland .     Though  I  am  not  seasick,  yet 
I  am,  as  usual  at  sea,  uncomfortable,  restless,  and  sans  ap- 
petit.     Two  P.  M.  cast  anchor  off  Deal,  about  two  leagues 
east  of  the  lofty  Dover  cliffs.     The  thick  weather  prevents 
our  seeing  the  coast  of  France.     Cold,  cloudy,  and  high 
wind,  but  no  rain.     Here  we  shall  lay  till  the  wind  changes 
and  our  pilot  leaves  us.     I  ought  to  write  half  a  dozen  let- 


OF    AARON    BURR.  371 

ters,  but  fear  not  one  will  be  written.  At  three  our  captain 
went  on  shore.  Made  out  a  long  list  of  my  wants,  which 
forgot  to  give  him.  It  was  no  matter,  for,  being  Sunday, 
nothing  could  be  had.  Wrote  to  Graves,  enclosing  my  let- 
ter of  March  9  to  Captain  Jewett,  and  directing  him  to  make 
duplicate.  Also  a  note  to  Koe  about  Natalie's  picture, 
which  I  had  for  three  years  past  supposed  to  be  finally  lost, 
but  which  I  found  in  his  bedchamber  a  few  days  ago.  Di- 
rected him  to  send  it  to  W.  Graves,  who  will  send  it  to  me, 
with  other  things.  At  six  this  P.  M.  set  in  to  rain,  and  con- 
tinues now,  eleven  P.  M. ;  but  we  have  got  nearer  shore, 
the  wind  less  violent,  and  we  lay  quite  easy. 

30.  The  wind  still  at  west,  and  blowing  a  gale  all  day, 
with  mist,  fog,  rain,  and  cold.  This  evening  has  cleared 
off  a  little,  but  wind  the  same.  The  boat  could  not  go 
ashore  to-day,  and  we  remain  at  anchor.  About  seven  this 
evening  were  boarded  by  a  man-of-war's  boat  with  six  armed 
men.  The  officer,  who,  from  appearances,  must  have  been 
a  boatswain,  inquired  the  name  and  destination  of  the  ship ; 
and,  being  informed,  said  he  was  mistaken  in  the  ship,  and 
appeared  to  be  going  off.  Our  captain  came  down,  leaving 
him  upon  deck.  This  was  deemed  such  a  disrespect  to  his 
majesty's  officer,  that  he  drew  his  cutlass,  made  many  flour- 
ishes, called  all  hands  upon  deck,  examined  their  protections, 
cursed,  swore,  and  abused  them  all.  The  captain  then  in- 
vited him  into  the  cabin,  where  I  was  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.^ 
S. ;  but  here  his  majesty's  officer  took  no  such  airs,  and 
presently  left  us.  We  have  plenty  of  what  is  called  ship's 
fare,  beef,  potatoes,  turnips,  carrots,  salt  fish,  sea-biscuit, 
and  small  beer;  good  firkin  butter,  tea,  coffee,  sugar,  but 
not  a  passenger  has  a  drop  of  wine  or  spirits,  or  any  luxury 
but  those  above  mentioned.  I  propose  to  lay  out  about  ten 
shillings  in  fruit,  and  milk,  and  bread.  As  to  biscuit  or  rusk 
like  ours,  they  are  not  be  had  in  England,  nor  anything  like 
them.  Have  read  to-day  "  Le  Viellard  et  les  jeunes  Gens," 
a  comedy  of  118  pages,  without  a  single  stroke  of  wit  or 


372  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

humour,  one  new  thought  or  striking  expression  ;  118  pages 
of  such  dialogue  as  you  may  hear  every  day  in  every  trifling 
French  society.  To  render  it  still  more  ennuiant,  it  is  in 
verse.  French  verse !  Yet  this  is  one  of  the  list  of  best 
plays  given  me  by  Barrere.  Read  also  a  memoire  "  Sur 
la  Condition  des  Femmes  dans  une  Republique,"  an.  VII. 
About  seventy  or  eighty  pages.  He  sets  out  pretty  well, 
and  lays  down  good  principles,  but  ends  in  idle  declamation. 
Have  also  written  to  Castella,  and  began  a  letter  to  Lord 
Balgray. 

31.  Noon.  The  wind  came  round  during  the  night.  We 
made  sail  at  six  this  morning,  with  a  five-knot  breeze  at 
east.  The  weather  being  thick,  had  no  glimpse  of  the  coast 
of  France.  Dover  Castle  is  on  the  summit  of  the  cliff,  said 
to  be  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  feet  high.  The  town  is 
in  a  narrow  vale,  between  this  cliff  and  another  of  equal 
height,  leaving  a  narrow  opening  to  the  sea,  and  apparently 
almost  on  a  level  with  it.  Pass  Dungeness  lighthouse ; 
between  which  and  Dover  is  Romriey,  in  a  bay  scarcely  vis- 
ible to  us.  The  land  as  you  approach  Romney,  and  thence 
all  round  Dungeness,  very  low.  There  is  about  Romney 
an  artificial  bank  twenty  feet  high,  like  your  rice-field 
banks,  to  keep  out  the  sea,  and  protect  a  meadow  said  to 
contain  fifty  thousand  acres.  We  are  now  so  far  from  the 
coast,  and  the  air  so  thick  that  the  land  is  only  discovered 
at  intervals.  We  must  be  now  nearly  opposite  Hastings, 
where  William  the  Conqueror  landed. 

Evening.  The  wind  rose  soon  after  noon  to  eight  or  nine 
knots.  Pass  in  sight  of  Beachy  Head,  the  highest  land 
I  have  seen  along  the  coast.  Have  had  no  opportunity  to 
send  on  shore  my  letters  to  Lord  Balgray,  Castella,  and  Ben- 
tham,  nor  to  buy  anything. 


OF  AARON  BURR.  373 


TO  W.  WICKHAM. 

London^  March  10,  18 J  2. 

"  Have  patience,  and  I  will  pay  ye  all."  How  I  was  first 
imprisoned  in  England,  and  then  transported.  How  I  was 
held  in  durance  in  France  more  than  two  years  by  the  kind 
offices  of  my  loving  friends  Armstrong  and  Talleyrand,  will 
hereafter  be  told.  I  came  here  this  time  against  my  will, 
the  ship  in  which  I  sailed  from  Amsterdam,  bound  to  Bos- 
ton, having  been  captured  in  October  last  and  sent  into 
England.  She  has  been  since  released,  and  I  had  intended 
to  continue  my  voyage  in  her  to  the  United  States,  having 
paid  in  advance  the  whole  passage-money.  But  the  cap- 
tain, just  before  sailing,  wrote  me  that  he  could  not  take 
me,  alleging  that  the  American  consuls,  both  at  London  and 
Yarmouth,  advised  him  not  to  take  me,  and  had  threatened 
him  with  the  displeasure  of  the  government  of  the  United 
States  if  he  should ;  and  so  I  am  now  devising  ways  and 
means  how  to  get  out  in  spite  of  them. 

In  the  mean  time,  and  preparatory  to  my  return,  I  have 
empowered  my  friend  S.  S.  to  make  certain  arrangements 
with  my  creditors  in  New- York,  and  also  to  inquire  of  the 
state  of  my  affairs  in  your  city.  I  am  extremely  solicitous 
lest  some  of  those  who  have  become  my  bail  in  civil  suits 
should  have  been  molested.  If  I  can  be  allowed  the  use  of 
my  faculties,  and  to  breathe  the  common  air  on  my  return,  I 
will  very  soon  put  all  these  matters  right.  Pray  have  the 
goodness  to  inform  Mr.  S.  on  these  subjects. 

I  send  no  message  to  any  of  my  friends  of  either  sex,  not 
wishing  to  be  recalled  to  their  recollection  until  I  shall  have 
better  merited  the  interest  which  they  take  in  my  welfare. 

Alas,  poor  Bolts !  That  he  should  have  gone  before  I 
had  an  opportunity  of  doing  him  any  good.  A.  BURR. 


374  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 


PROM    MRS.    JUDGE    THORPE, 

London,  March  2,  1812. 

Mr.  Browne  leaves  town  for  Portsmouth.     If  you  are  dis 
engaged  this  evening,  will  you  come  to  us  ?    You  will  meet 
him,  and  I  can  send  to  Major  M. 

The  doctor  (yesterday)  prescribed  society ;  but  very  often, 
in  what  is  generally  so  termed,  I  feel  alone ;  nor  am  I,  at 
present,  very  poetically  disposed  ;  but,  if  you  do  not  come,  I 
will  endeavour  to  have  you  lampooned.  I  acknowledge  'tis 
a  great  sacrifice  to  relinquish  Mr.  Bentham's  society  even 
for  a  few  hours.  S.  THORPE. 

FROM    MRS.  THORPE. 

London,  March  14,  1812. 

The  letter  has  been  returned,  but  I  dislike  sending  it  by 
the  twopenny  post.  I  have  read  your  book.  What  an 
abominable,  detestable  system,  devoid  both  of  sentiment  and 
sensibility.  Oh,  surely  you  would  not  advocate  such  rights 
for  woman — interesting,  timid  woman  !  Never  let  her,  "  un- 
sought, be  won." 

The  author,  I  think,  must  have  been  unfortunate  in  his 
intercourse  with  the  world ;  else  why  suppose  so  much  de- 
ceit practised  before  marriage  ?  I  never  met  it,  and  I  know 
many  equally  fortunate.  Young  people  have  seldom  power 
to  deceive. 

But  I  very  much  admire  the  liberality  of  his  ideas  on 
female  education.  Were  our  minds  more  cultivated,  we 
should  have  more  power.  Lamentable  as  it  is  to  associate 
with  an  uninformed  woman,  how  much  more  lamentable  to 
mingle  with  men  whose  knowledge  extends  very  little  be- 
yond the  court ;  therefore,  I  hope  their  education  will  be 
considered  in  his  Utopian  system.  Coachmen  and  grooms 
are  sad  companions  for  literary  women.  S.  THORPE. 


OF  AARON  BURR.  375 


TO  LORD  BALGRAY. 

London,  March  14, 1812. 

My  long  silence  has  no  other  cause  or  excuse  but  that  I 
had  nothing  to  say.  The  following  incident  may  show  you 
what  sort  of  obstacles  I  have  to  encounter  in  order  to  get 
out  of  a  country  in  which  I  have  nothing  to  do. 

The  captain  of  the  ship  in  which  I  arrived,  after  various 
projects  of  voyages,  finally  resolved  to  go  to  New-Orleans, 
and  urged  me  very  much  to  go  with  him.  This  was  greatly 
out  of  my  way  ;  but,  having  a  predilection  for  the  ship,  and 
having  paid  my  passage,  I  at  length  agreed  to  sail  with  him. 
He  went  off  to  Yarmouth  to  get  his  ship  ready,  and  I  was 
just  about  to  announce  to  you  my  approaching  departure, 
when  I  received  a  letter  from  him,  stating  that  the  American 
consul  had  warned  him  not  to  take  me,  and  had  menaced 
him  with  the  displeasure  of  the  United  States'  government, 
if  he  dare  to  do  it.  He  (the  captain)  therefore  begged  to 
be  excused  from  receiving  me. 

On  two  former  occasions  since  being  here,  I  had  engaged 
a  passage,  and  was  afterward  refused,  and,  as  I  then  thought, 
from  the  caprice  and  malevolence  of  the  masters  or  owners 
but  which  1  can  now  trace  to  the  same  source.  The  mal- 
ice of  these  agents  of  a  feeble  and  timid  administration  did 
not  stop  here ;  for  to  their  influence  may  be  ascribed  also 
that  the  captain  refuses  to  pay  me  here  the  amount  of  my 
passage,  and  a  sum  which  I  had  advanced  him  at  Amster- 
dam, which  has  put  me  to  serious  inconvenience. 

You  will  be  at  no  loss  to  conjecture  the  motives  to  this 
interposition  on  the  part  of  the  American  government.  It 
has,  however,  convinced  me  more  thoroughly  that  I  ought 
not  to  lose  a  day  to  be  there.  I  have  now  found  a  sea-cap- 
tain who  will  not  be  deterred  by  any  menaces  from  taking 
me.  He  will  sail  in  ten  days,  and  I  hope  to  be  able  to  em- 
bark with  him. 

Your  letter  of  the  16th  ult.  was  duly  received.     Nothing 
VOL.  II.  24 


376  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

has  been  heard  from  Lord  Melville.  Your  message  to 
Walker  will  be  communicated  by  a  gentleman  who  will  sail 
to-morrow.  A.  BURR. 

TO  J.  REEVES. 

London,  March  16,  1812. 

I  had  hoped  to  have  taken  passage  in  the  ship  Beaver, 
which  was  a  few  weeks  ago  advertised  to  sail  for  the  Uni- 
ted States  from  Liverpool;  but  she  has  changed  her  desti- 
nation, and  will  go  to  Portugal.  Having  now  a  prospect  of 
getting  a  passage  in  one  of  the  ships  lying  in  this  river,  I 
request  that  you  will  add  a  note  to  my  passport  authorizing 
my  embarcation  from  Gravesend  or  Deal ;  or,  generally,  at 
any  port  on  this  river.  I  must  also  ask  you  to  give  me  some 
certificate,  in  any  form  you  please,  purporting  that  the  as- 
sumption of  the  name  of  Arnot  is  with  the  knowledge  and 
consent  of  his  majesty's  government ;  for  it  might  be  very 
inconvenient  to  be  recognised  at  a  distance  from  London 
under  an  assumed  name.  A.  BURR. 

FROM    LORD    BALGRAY. 

London,  March  17,  1812. 

Day  after  day  have  I  intended  to  write  you,  but  an  un- 
common pressure  of  business  at  this  period  prevented  me. 
T,  however,  took  a  spare  moment  to  write  to  General  Alex. 
Hope,  and  explained  to  him,  in  the  mean  while,  what  had 
occurred  to  the  lord  president  and  to  me. 

Yours  of  the  14th  reached  me  this  morning.  The  proper 
extracts  from  your  letter  have  been  prepared,  and  are  by 
this  time  in  the  hands  of  Lord  Melville,  and  of  which  I 
think  it  my  duty  to  inform  you  ;  and  I  have  to  beg  that  you 
will  leave  notice  at  your  former  lodgings  where  you  are  to 
be  found.  I  am  sorry  to  observe  so  much  jealousy  in  your 
government ;  a  never-failing  sign  of  great  weakness.  Our 
people,  surely,  cannot  be  so  absurd  as  to  give  the  least 
countenance  to  anything  that  is  unfriendly  to  you. 


OF    AARON    BURR.  37T 

The  conduct  of  the  prince's  friends  surprises  us  here,  at 
least,  very  much  indeed.  Whatever  may  be  their  abilities, 
somehow  their  want  of  common  prudence  has  been  of  much 
service  to  their  opponents.  The  moderate  of  both  sides  are 
disgusted  at  their  conduct.  For,  if  the  country  be  in  so 
much  danger  as  they  pretend,  it  was  their  duty  to  lend  their 
aid  to  support  it,  even  although  their  measures  were  not 
completely  followed.  Their  rejection  of  all  overtures  puts 
a  stop  to  even  partial  good,  which  they  might  have  attained. 
In  a  little  time  they  would  have  obtained  the  emancipation 
of  the  Catholics,  as  they  call  it.  But  almost  none,  at  pres- 
ent, can  forgive  their  views  as  to  the  Peninsula.  The  de- 
sertion of  the  Spaniards,  even  the  commonest  of  the  people 
cannot  think  of  with  patience. 

By-the-by,  as  to  the  Catholic  emancipation  question,  I 
have  seen  lately  several  well-informed  people  of  the  middle 
rank  from  Dublin  and  other  parts  of  Ireland,  and  they  say 
that  they  are  quite  surprised  at  the  noise  about  that  question 
in  this  country.  They  hear  nothing  of  it  in  Ireland.  It 
never  enters  into  people's  heads.  And,  barring  about  a 
dozen  lawyers  in  Dublin,  and  some  choice  spirits  in  sev- 
eral districts  whose  noise  nobody  minds,  the  thing  never 
interests  anybody.  I  am  afraid  that  it  is  made  a  mere  po- 
litical question ;  but,  as  there  is  justice  in  it,  there  surely 
can  be  no  harm  to  grant  it.  I  wonder  how  Lord  Grenville 
gave  up  the  veto.  Would  Bonaparte  permit  such  a  thing  ? 

I  shall  write  the  president  to-day.  He  is  in  town,  at 
drill  with  his  regiment.  I  am,  my  dear  friend,  yours  sin- 
cerely, DAVID  WILLIAMSON. 

TO   ,    SOUTH    AMERICAN    AGENT. 

London,  March  23,  1812. 

Permit  me,  my  dear  sir,  before  we  part,  to  repeat  my  ad- 
vice and  my  entreaties,  that  you  return  forthwith  to  your 
native  country.  Believe  me,  you  have  nothing  to  do  here, 
neither  for  your  country  nor  yourself  So  long  as  the  trea- 


378  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

ty  and  alliance  subsists  between  Great  Britain  and  Spain, 
it  would  be  absurd  to  expect  that  this  government  should 
favour  the  independence  of  the  Spanish  American  colonies, 
either  directly  or  indirectly  ;  and,  even  if  that  treaty  and  al 
liance  were  dissolved,  your  independence  and  your  increas- 
ing greatness  would  be  viewed  with  jealousy  by  Great  Brit- 
ain. The  patriots  of  Buenos  Ayres  should  turn  their  whole 
attention  to  the  United  States.  Though  the  feebleness  and 
timidity  of  the  present  administration  of  the  United  States 
has  hitherto  restrained  it  from  openly  espousing  your  cause, 
yet  the  feelings  of  the  people  are  warmly  and  almost  unan- 
imously with  you.  All  your  wants  can  be  supplied  from 
the  United  States,  and  nothing  is  wanting  but  money,  and  a 
better  knowledge  of  the  mode  of  doing  things,  and  of  the 
men  to  be  addressed. 

To  prevent  a  dependance  on  foreign  countries  for  arms, 
you  should  establish  manufactories  at  home.  Machinery 
for  the  manufacturing  of  arms  could  be  established  in  a  few 
months,  and  the  whole  expense  would  be  saved  in  less  than 
one  year.  The  machinery,  and  everything  necessary  for 
such  an  establishment,  could  be  had  from  the  United  States. 

Again  I  pray  you  not  to  let  your  country  be  longer  de- 
prived of  your  services.  It  would  afford  me  very  great 
pleasure  to  meet  you  in  the  United  States  as  minister  from 
your  government.  A.  B. 

FROM  MRS.  . 

London,  March  24, 1812. 

Thank  you  for  the  memoranda  respecting  the  books, 
though  I  censure  myself  for  having  encroached  on  your 
time. 

Surely  you  cannot  sail  with  this  wind  !  and,  although  I 
commenced  with  repentance,  I  am  strongly  disposed  to  sin 
again.  Yes,  another  demand.  Will  you  have  your  pro- 
file taken  and  leave  it  with  me?  It  is  done  in  less  than 


OF    AARON    BURR.  379 

five  minutes ;  the  expense  a  mere  trifle.     You  must  have 
had  a  solitary,  wet  walk  last  night.     Toujours  la  meme. 


FROM  MRS 


London,  March  20,  1812. 

You  certainly  are  very  teasing,  to  have  so  many  city  en- 
gagements. You  are,  perhaps,  making  fine  speeches  to 
some  rich  belle  residing  there.  Do  you  mean  to  inculcate 
the  Nair  system  ?  As  to  leaving  this  country,  you  will  not 
have  it  in  your  power  to  accomplish  that  design  with  as 
much  ease  as  you  speak  of  it.  Many  things  must  concur, 
and  I  am  selfish  enough  to  hope  you  may  be  detained  for 
some  little  time. 

Now  my  husband  is  absent,  I  seldom  hear  any  conversa- 
tion calculated  to  amuse  even  the  passing  moment.  And  if 
I  sometimes  meet  what  I  conceive  calculated  to  enlighten, 
it  is  very  natural  I  should  wish  for  improvement  acquired 
in  a  much  pleasanter  mode  than  by  intense  study. 

What  can  Mr.  Castella  fear?  Fear!  shocking.  You 
ought  to  take  him  under  your  protection  entirely ;  but,  as 
you  are  engaged  to-night,  you  had  best  consign  him  to  the 
care  of  two  or  three  watchmen. 

FROM    J.    REEVES. 

London,  Alien  Office,  March  20, 1812. 

I  send  you  your  passport  enlarged  for  another  month. 
If  you  are  tired  of  the  name  of  Arnot,  and  wish  any  other, 
you  may  have  it.  J.  REEVES. 

TO   JEREMY   BENTHAM. 

Off  Deal,  March  30,  1812. 

We  came  to  anchor  here  on  Saturday.  The  wind  being 
from  the  S.  W.,  we  must  remain  here  till  it  shall  please  to 
change.  I  am  a  little  dissatisfied  with  the  levity  with  which 
you  have  put  in  circulation  some  of  my  very  trifling  letters, 


380  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

particularly  the  first  which  I  wrote  you  after  leaving  Lon- 
don on  my  visit  to  Edinburgh.  That  was  eminently  a  let- 
ter fit  only  for  the  eye  of  the  most  indulgent  friendship. 

I  must  again  beg  that  that  letter,  and  also  that  which  I 
wrote  you  from  Paris,  be  returned.  Any  letter  or  parcel 
for  me  may  be  sent  to  Mr.  Graves,  whose  punctuality  may 
be  relied  on.  Transmit  me  a  list  of  the  American  books 
you  possess,  that  I  may  avoid  sending  you  duplicates. 

A.  BURR. 

JOURNAL. 

Thursday,  April  2,  P.  M.  The  wind  changed  on  Tues- 
day night,  and  came  directly  ahead,  with  a  rough,  broken  sea. 
We  have  been  beating  ever  since,  making  very  little  prog- 
ress. The  tossing  so  great  that  we  don't  attempt  to  put 
anything  on  the  table,  but  eat  off  the  floor.  I  was  yesterday 
a  little  sick ;  could  not  write  a  line ;  ate  little ;  lay  all  day 
and  till  two  this  morning,  and  again  from  eight  till  now,  five 
P.  M.,  reading  plays  and  novels.  Have  finished  "  La  famille 
de  Halden,"  four  volumes,  j'en  suis  tres  content.  We  passed 
yesterday  near  the  Isle  of  Wight,  which  presents  on  this 
side  again  lofty  white  cliffs.  Were  boarded  by  a  British 
sloop  of  war.  The  officer  examined  the  papers  and  let  us 
go;  but  he  insisted  that  I  was  a  Frenchman. 

We  have  constant  mist  and  rain,  with  chilling  wind.  We 
are  now  within  half  a  league  of  the  English  coast,  but  the 
captain  would  not  put  in,  because  it  would  cost  three  or  four 
guineas  in  pilotage.  I  wish  very  much  to  make  any  port  for 
a  few  hours,  to  get  bread,  tobacco,  and  lemons.  The  pros- 
pect of  wanting  tobacco  is  the  most  distressing  to  me.  There 
is  not  an  ounce  aboard.  I  have  left  six  segars,  all  which  I 
would  gladly  smoke  this  evening.  Mais  il  faut  economiser. 

Eleven  P.  M.  The  wind  the  same.  We  are  still  beating. 
These  last  two  days  we  have  made  about  sixty  miles.  The 
rocking  and  tossing  is  worse  and  worse,  and  I  am  constantly 
a  little  giddy  and  unfit  for  anything.  Have  been  laying  on 


OF    AARON    BURR.  381 

the"  floor  before  the  fire  since  seven  o'clock.     Have  read  only 
'"Le  faux  Stanislaus,"  comedie,  which  is  tolerable,  and  no 
more.     Am  now  going  to  turn  in  for  want  of  occupation, 
finding  it  impossible  either  to  read  or  write. 

3.  The  wind  blew  a  gale  all  last  night  and  to-day  till  sun- 
set, when  and  till  now  a  calm,  rain,  and  mist,  without  inter- 
mission, with  hail,  and  sleet,  and  flakes  of  snow  occasionally. 
The  air  so  thick  that  nothing  can  be  seen  half  a  league ; 
had  a  glimpse  of  the  land  at  three  P.  M.,  and  suppose  we  have 
lost  a  few  miles  the  last  twenty-four  hours.  The  captain 
has  been  quite  willing  to-day  to  go  into  port,  but  the  thick- 
ness of  the  air  renders  it  impossible  to  find  the  way.  We 
are  now  driving  where  the  tides  please ;  the  rocking  has 
been  intolerable  all  day ;  begins  now  to  abate  a  little ;  the 
rain  continues ;  we  have  not  been  able  to  use  chairs  or  ta- 
ble. Smith,  his  wife,  and  three  children  all  deadly  sick.  I 
continue  comme  ca ;  should  be  well  if  I  had  tobacco  and 
fruit,  and  some  of  that  Seltzer  water  which  was  sold  at 
twenty  shillings  the  do/en  jugs. 

Have  read  a  second  time,  and  with  pleasure,  La  Revanche, 
comedie ;  also  began  and  got  through  the  first  vol.  of  Les 
Barons  de  Falsheim,  par  P.  Le  Brun,  auteur  de  mon  oncle 
Thomas,  &c. ;  and  think  to  read  another  vol.  before  I  turn 
in,  for  have  been  laying  in  my  berth  and  sleeping  half  the 
day. 

4.  See  how  the  ink  sinks  into  the  paper;  everything  is 
so  damp ;  have  been  obliged  to  dry  this  by  the  fire  before  I 
could  write  on  it  at  all.  About  two  o'clock  last  night  there 
came  a  light  air  from  the  E.,  and  we  went  on  our  course 
about  two  miles  an  hour  till  morning,  when  the  sky  cleared 
off,  the  sun  appeared,  and  again  a  dead  calm,  and  much  toss- 
ing and  rolling  ;  but  I  am  not  so  giddy  as  yesterday.  Made 
a  good  dinner  on  codfish  and  potatoes.  Supposed  we  saw 
the  Eddystone  lighthouse  about  noon  directly  ahead.  At  one 
the  wind  came  again  at  west,  directly  ahead,  but  very  light. 
At  sunset  it  got  round  to  north,  and  we  stood  our  course 


382  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

about  three  miles  per  hour.  The  sky  tolerably  clear  and 
starlight.  Have  just  now  seen  the  lights  at  Lizard  Point, 
bearing  about  north. 

Sat  up  last  night  (laying  on  the  carpet  before  the  fire) 
till  three  this  morning,  reading  Les  Barons  de  Falsheim  ; 
but  was  more  than  an  hour  occupied  in  drying  a  change  of 
clothes,  shirt,  &c.  Have  just  now  finished  Les  Barons  de 
Falsheim.  There  are  some  pretty  episodes  (I  hate  episodes) 
and  good  scenes ;  the  characters  well  supported  ;  often  an 
attempt  at  the  humorous  and  ridiculous,  calculated  for  stage 
effect.  To  me,  it  is  well.  Several  instances  of  grossness 
the  most  disgusting.  The  author  is  one  of  the  most  popular 
novelists  and  romancers  of  the  day. 

5.  The  wind  died  away,  and  we  lay  quite  becalmed  part 
of  the  night.  Towards  morning  a  light  breeze  at  S.  E.,  which 
I  hope  my  Gampies  have,  by  their  astronomical  and  geo- 
graphical knowledge,  discovered  is  a  fair  wind  for  us  who 
are  going  west.  At  eight  this  morning  we  supposed  our- 
selves off  the  Land's  End,  and  expect  to  pass  the  Scilly  Island 
before  night.  Then  we  have  the  open  ocean,  and  may  hope 
at  least  for  a  clearer  sky  and  more  settled  weather.  I  could 
wish  to  land  on  one  or  two  of  these  islands,  where  are  said 
to  be  some  Druidical  remains.  Of  what  nature  can  they  be, 
seeing  that  their  temples  were  groves  ?  But  a  better  reason 
for  stopping  would  be  tobacco,  lemons,  &c.  The  largest  of 
these  islands  has  seven  hundred  inhabitants.  We  are  going 
on  about  three  knots,  eleven  P.  M.  The  wind  came  round 
to  S.  this  P.  M.,  and  has  gradually  risen  to  six  knots,  at 
which  rate  we  are  now  going  on  our  course.  Mist  and  rain. 
Suppose  that  we  passed  the  meridian  of  the  Scilly  Isles 
about  two  P.  M.  So  that  we  have  now  no  hope  nor  wish 
of  seeing  land  till  we  see  that  of  America.  Spent  two  or 
three  hours  in  overhauling  my  trunks  of  books.  Have  taken 
out  the  works  of  Mad.  Roland  to  read,  three  vols.,  octavo. 
Have  read  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  pages.  Read  ovei 
two  contemptible  little  comedies ;  also  some  pages,  which 


OF    AARON    BURR.  383 

sufficed,  of  Un  Traite  sur  les  Langues  Ancienne.  Got  up 
this  morning  with  a  sore  throat,  which  has  rather  increased. 
In  rummaging  to-day,  found  seven  segars ;  and  the  captain, 
who  is  a  smoker,  made  me  a  present  of  about  two  ounces  ot 
tobacco,  being  all  he  had.  An  effort  of  generosity  of  which 
I  should  not  have  been  capable  towards  an  indifferent  per- 
son. 

6.  Noon.     The  wind  continues  at  the  same  point,  and 
more  fresh.     For  the  last  ten  hours  we  have  been  going 
seven  and  a  half  knots,  and  now  more  than  eight.'   We  must 
be  more  than  one  hundred  miles  west  of  the  Scilly  Isles. 
Had  we  gone  into  Cowes  (or  Isle  of  Wight),  we  could  not 
have  got  out  with  this  wind.    We  suppose  that  our  comforts 
are  all  there.     So  that  our  captain  has  shown  his  judgment, 
and  reaps  the  benefit  of  his  industry.     I  am  quite  content 
with  our  little  Aurora.     She  rides  light  and  easy  on  the  wa- 
ter, and  sails  well.     There  is  a  regular  sea,  and  our  motion 
is  not  excessive;  enough,  however,  to  render  writing  labori- 
ous and  difficult.     My  giddiness  has  not  left  me,  but  has 
sensibly  diminished.     Have  done  nothing  this  morning  but 
arrange  my  cabin  and  stow  away  my  duds.     The  family  of 
Smith  tolerably  well  except  madame,  qui   est  toujours  le 
meme.     At  four  the  wind  came  to  S.  W.,  which  puts  us 
about  four  points  off  our  course,  and  reduces  us  to  five  knots. 
Have  finished  the  first  volume  of  Madame  Roland,  and  read 
sixty  pages  in  the  second  ;  but  my  eyes  are  fatigued. 

7.  At  noon  we  had  latitude  50' 15,  longitude  11*5.     I  be- 
gan a  sheet  this  morning,  i.  e.,  noon,  but  cannot  find  it,  and 
thus  am  obliged  to  begin  another.     About  two  P.  M.  the 
wind  came  to  west,  directly  ahead,  since  which  we  have 
been  stretching  southward  with  a  very  high  wind  and  a  very 
heavy  sea.     Just  after  writing  you  to-day  at  noon,  I  grew 
sick  and  dizzy,  and  took  to  my  berth,  where  I  lay  till  four, 
sleeping  the  greater  part  of  the  time.     Did  not  go  out  to 
dinner,  but  took  one  cup  of  tea  at  six,  and  about  ten  a  slice 
of  ham  and  a  biscuit.     Am  now  better.     The  sore  throat 


384  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

nearly  well.  Madame  Smith  continues  the  same  It  is  now 
fifteen  days  tnat  nothing  has  lain  on  her  stomach.  She  is 
reduced  to  a  skeleton;  pale  and  hollow-eyed.  I  have  this 
evening  administered  five  drops  laudanum. 

About  sunnet  to-day  we  discovered  a  sail  two  or  three 
leagues  north  of  us,  apparently  standing  the  same  course 
She  frequently  changed  her  course  and  bore  down  for  us. 
We  were  for  an  hour  in  great  apprehension  lest  it  should  be 
a  French  privateer ;  but,  just  before  dark,  she  passed  under 
our  stern  and  within  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  but  did  not  hail.  It 
was  in  putting  away  my  papers  to  prepare  for  a  visit  that  I 
mislaid  the  sheet.  Now  two  A.  M.,  light  wind  and  great 
tossing.  The  little  motion  we  have  has  for  the  last  twelve 
hours  been  retrograde. 

8.  Noon.     About  sunrfse  the  wind  came  to  south  by  west, 
and  we  go  on  our  course  about  four  knots.     Mrs.  S.  has  not 
vomited   since  taking   the   laudanum.      Cloudy,  mist,  and 
chilly,  but  we  got  an  observation.     We  have  a  more  regular 
sea  and  less  motion.     I  am  tolerably  well,  and,  two  P.  M., 
have  made  a  good  dinner  of  codfish  and  potatoes.     Have 
read  nothing,  nor  all  yesterday  but  one  hundred  pages. 

9.  About  two  P.  M.  yesterday  the  wind  came  about  two 
points  more  south  and  blew  fresh.     By  eleven  it  was  a  gale, 
and  we  went  about  seven  knots  under  reefed  foresail  and 
mainsail.     About  six  this  morning  it  began  to  abate,  and  by 
twelve  (noon)  was  a  dead  calm.     At  seven  this  evening  it 
sprang  up  from  the  west  directly  ahead,  and  there  continues. 
Much  rain  last  night  and  to-day,  and  with  a  great  sea,  which 
has  tossed  us  most  unmercifully.     We  are  now  standing 
north,  and  thus,  going  with  the  sea,  feel  it  less,  but  till  now 
(ten  P.  M.)  it  has  been  impossible  to  write  a  line.     Have 
finished  the  third  and  last  volume  of  Madame  Roland,  and 
have  begun  Humboldt,  though  half  sick  all  day.     Mrs.  S. 
better.     This  is  the  fifteenth  day  since  my  embarcation,  and 
we  are  not  one  hundred  miles  from  the  English  coast. 

10.  Noon.     Lat.  49'29.    We  had  a  light  breeze  from  the 


OF    AARON    BURR.  385 

north  during  the  night,  and  made  about  three  knots  an  hour 
southwest.  At  seven  this  morning  calm,  and  so  till  twelve ; 
much  tossing.  Just  now  has  come  a  light  breeze  west,  and 
we  are  standing  north.  A  fine,  clear,  mild  spring  day. 
Mrs.  Smith  quite  recovered.  Have  already  finished  the  first 
volume  of  Humboldt. 

Just  after  writing  the  above,  the  wind  came  round  to  south, 
a  very  gentle  breeze.  It  rose  gradually  to  seven  and  eight 
knots,  and  presently  blew  a  gale.  At  four  we  took  in  sail; 
could  only  carry  foresail  and  main-topsail  reefed.  The  gale, 
with  heavy  squalls,  rain,  mist,  continued  till  eight,  then  sud- 
denly cleared  away,  and  beautiful,  bright  starlight,  and  a 
pleasant  breeze  at  south,  but  a  tremendous  sea.  Took  out 
our  reefs  and  set  all  our  topsails.  Thinking  the  weather 
settled,  the  captain  turned  in.  At  ten,  again  heavy  squalls, 
with  rain,  whiek  continue,  but  the  wind  has  got  round  to 
southwest,  so  that  we  are  close  to  it,  standing  northwest  by 
west,  but  make  very  little  headway  by  reason  of  the  heavy 
sea.  Chairs  and  tables  are  of  no  use  to  us  to-day.  We  eat 
on  the  floor,  bracing  ourselves  as  well  as  we  can.  Am  not 
much  giddy,  notwithstanding  the  excessive  rocking,  but  have 
read  only  one  hundred  pages. 

11.  The  gale  from  southwest  has  continued  with  increas- 
ing fury.     We  have  been  scudding  under  reefed  foresail. 
No  prospect  of  any  abatement.     It  is  with  difficulty  I  can 
write  thus  much. 

12.  Lat.  50'  1.     The  storm  of  wind,  rain,  hail,  mist,  con- 
tinued till  about  four  this  morning,  when  it  began  to  abate, 
wind  still  ahead.     At  eight  began  to  clear  away ;  by  noon 
mild  and  clear,  light  breeze  at  southwest,  which  came  round 
south,  and  then  southeast,  which  is  just  where  we  wish  it, 
and  we  are  now,  eleven  P.  M.,  going  about  six  knots  before 
the  wind.     A  fine,  mild,  starlight  night,  and,  as  the  moon 
changed  yesterday,  we  hope  that  this  wind  and  weather  may 
continue  for  a  fortnight.     It  is  surprising  that  we  made  so 
little  northing  during  that  thirty-hours'  gale.     There  must 


386  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

certainly  be  a  current  setting  south  in  this  longitude ;  prob- 
ably the  reflux  of  the  Gulf  Stream,  or,  as  St.  Pierre  will 
have  it,  the  melting  of  the  solar  ice  and  snow.  Suspect  that 
Captain  Nicholls  knows  me. 

13.  Latitude  47'49.     The  wind  rose  to  eight  and  nine 
knots,  S.  E.  and  E.,  and  by  eight  this  morning  N.  E.     We 
have  run,  by  our  reckoning,   one  hundred  and  sixty  miles 
the  last  twenty-four  hours,  and,  by  the  same  reckoning,  have 
made  eighty-four  miles  of  southing ;  but,  by  our  observation 
to-day,  one  hundred  and  eighteen  southing,  which   leaves 
thirty-four  for  the  current.     No  doubt  St.  Pierre  £  raison, 
for  what  else  but  his  system  could  give  us  near  three  miles  an 
hour  due  south.     We  conclude  that  this  current  sets  S.  W. ; 
at  least  such  is  the  opinion  of  the  two  captains.     We  have, 
therefore,  probably  exceeded  our  reckoning  more  than  forty 
miles ;  so  that  we  have  advanced  two  hundred  miles  the  last 
twenty-four  hours.     About  twelve  more   such  days  would 
land  us  in  Boston.     And  what  then  ?     Nous  verrons.     The 
wind  now  nearly  N.,  with  rain.     Seven  knots.     We  have 
had,  since  noon,  a  succession  of  rain,  squalls,  calms.     Yet, 
whenever  wind,  it  has  been  from  some  eastern  point,  so  that 
we  have  generally  been  going  five  or  six  knots.     Since  ten 
this  evening  a  dead  calm,  and,  of  course,  a  little  rolling.    The 
weather  not  so  cold  as  for  the  last  fortnight,  but  still  too 
cold  to  dispense  with  fire. 

14.  The  calm,  with  now  and  then  very  light  winds  from 
the  eastward,  continued  till  eight  this  morning,  when  sprang 
up  a  brisk  breeze  at  S.  E.     We  have  been  going  about  eight 
knots  the  last  four  hours.     Showers  all  day.     Two  P.  M., 
we  have  dined  at  table,  and  sitting  on  chairs.     The  wind 
continues  the  same,  and  still  rain.     At  six  this  P.  M.  came 
alongside  a  wreck  marked  on  the  stern  "  The  Eunice,  of 
Portland"  a    brig.      Masts   all  gone,    bowsprit   standing. 
Sent  our  boat  to  see.     She  proved  to  be  quite  a  new  brig. 
All  her  cargo  on  board ;  beef,  fish,  and  lumber,  and  in  per 
fectly  good  order.     She  had  only  about  three  feet  water  in 


OF    AARON    BURR.  387 

her  hold.  The  captain  must  have  been  frightened,  and 
abandoned  his  vessel  too  soon.  We  took  out  nothing  but  a 
few  pieces  of  beef.  The  wind  lulled  from  six  to  eight,  to 
give  us  time  to  examine  the  wreck,  and  then  freshened 
again.  Since  eight  we  have  been  going  at  about  six  knots. 

15.  A  mild,  pleasant,  clear  day,  with  a  constant  and  regu- 
lar wind  at  N.E.,  going  at  six  knots.     An  observation  to-day 
gave  us  lat.  45-45,  and,  at  the  same  time  (noon),  our  reck- 
oning gave  us   Ion.  29*30.     The   night  is   most  brilliant ; 
like  an  American  sky.     Passed  a  large  turtle  about  six  P. 
M.,  but  did  not  see  him  time  enough  to  take  him.     What  a 
fine  feast  he  would  have  made  us. 

The  steward  of  our  ship  is  a  young  man  from  Albany, 
who  engaged  to  do  the  duty  of  steward  for  his  passage.  He 
has  affected  to  consider  himself  as  above  the  place.  A 
dirty,  negligent,  morose  rascal  as  I  ever  met.  He  has  in- 
sulted us  all  repeatedly.  For  the  last  eight  days  I  have  not 
asked  of  him  the  slightest  service.  He  has  repeatedly 
been  impertinent  to  our  captain,  who  is  certainly  a  very  civil 
and  good-natured  man.  But  to-day  Mr.  Steward  carried 
his  insolence  so  far  that  the  captain  could  not  bear  it.  A 
battle  ensued,  and  the  captain  beat  the  steward  till  he  was 
quite  disfigured ;  then  tied  him  up,  and  left  him  to  cool  two 
or  three  hours,  and  made  him  strip  off  his  waistcoat,  and 
beat  him  with  a  rope's  end  till  he  howled  most  piteously,  and 
promised  reformation.  Since  the  which  process  the  afore 
said  steward  seems  exceedingly  modest  and  complaisant. 

16.  The  wind  mentioned  on  Wednesday  night  continued 
till  six  the  following  morning,  then  gradually  fell  to  a  dead 
calm,  and  so  till  four  P.  M.,  when  came  a  light  air  from  the 
west ;  so  that  for  the  last  eight  or  ten  hours  we  have  been 
going  about  two  knots  north.     The  day  has  been  mild  and 
clear.     Lat.  at  noon  45'06,  whence  it  appears  that  we  have 
made  thirty-nine  miles  southing  the  last  twenty-four  hours, 
which  is  wholly  due  to  the  current.     Longitude  supposed  to 
be  about  33.    We  have  not,  during  this  whole  serene  day,  saw 


388  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

a  fish  or  bird  of  any  kind.  Our  steward  is  amazingly  swol- 
len and  disfigured,  so  as  to  be  wholly  uncognoscible ;  but  the 
damage  physique  is  amply  redeemed  by  the  amelioration  de 
la  morale. 

17.  The  calm  and  light  winds  are  continued  till  seven  this 
morning,  when  suddenly,  and  quite  unexpectedly,  sprung  up  a 
very  fine  breeze  at  N.E.     Since  which  we  have  been  going 
eight  knots.     Raining  all  day.     Took  physic  last  night  for 
my  headache.     Have  been  sick  all  day.     Eaten  naught. 

18.  Latitude  44' 14.     The  wind  continues  at  N.E.,  and 
with  the  same  force,  i.  e.,  from  seven  to  nine  knots.     The 
day  clear,  with  flying  clouds.     We  were  accompanied  this 
morning  by  a  shoal  of  porpoises,  who  gambolled  about  us 
till  the  mate  threw  a  harpoon,  but  without  hitting ;  instantly 
they  all  disappeared.     Capt.  Nicholls,  an  experienced  mar- 
iner, says   porpoises  are   never  seen  more  than  five  or  six 
leagues  off  landings.     If  this  be  true,  we  must  have  greatly 
overrun  our  reckoning.     Temperature  of  the  water,  56  ;  do. 
of  the  air  in  the  shade,  49. 

The  wind  has  continued  without  intermission.  Flaws 
this  evening,  but  always  fair.  Now  a  beautiful  moonlight, 
and  going  eight  knots.  We  have  been  playing  whist  all 
the  evening.  Capt.  Nicholls  says  there  never  is  frost  out 
of  soundings  when  no  farther  north  than  forty-Jive. 

19.  The  wind  continued  from  the  same  quarter,  and  with 
the  same  force,  till  five  this  morning ;    then  gradually  dimin- 
ished.    We  have  gone  all  day,  and  till  seven  this  evening, 
at  four  knots.     At  seven   came  a  lively  breeze  from  the 
south,  and  we  are  now  going  at  eight  knots  at  the  least. 
Lat.  at  noon  43'35.     So  that  we  have  made  forty  minutes 
southing  the  last  twenty-four  hours,  though  our  course  is  all 
that   time  to  the  northward  of  west.     The   current   must 
have  been  at  least  two  miles  per  hour ;  and,  if  that  current 
should  set  S.W.,  as  is  supposed,  but  which  we  cannot  as- 
certain, we  must  have   overrun  our  reckoning  of  longitude 
some  hundreds  of  miles  during  the  last  eight  days.     I  shall 


OF   AARON    BURR.  389 

not  be  surprised  to  find  ourselves  on  the  Grand  Bank  to- 
morrow evening ;  but  the  captains,  who  know  better,  say 
not  till  Wednesday. 

The  day  has  been  mild,  and  the  motion  the  most  gentle. 
Instead  of  improving  it  in  writing,  I  have  been  reading  P. 
Le  Brun's  Romans,  in  four  volumes,  which  have  just  fin- 
ished. Temperature  of  the  water  at  eight  this  morning,  58 ; 
do.  of  the  air,  52. 

20.  Our  good  wind  stood  till  five  this  morning ;  then  fell, 
and  at  eight  a  little  air  from  the  S.W.     We  have  not  made 
twenty  miles  in  any  direction  since  five  this  morning  ;  and 
the  little  we  may  have  gone  has  been  about  N.W.     The 
charts  lay  down  a  current  setting  N.E.  in  almost  the  whole 
course   across   the  Atlantic ;  but  they  lie.     Certainly  the 
current  sets  south  or  southwest  till  you  have  passed   45 
longitude,  and  north  of  44  latitude.     How  much   farther 
the  same  current  prevails  we  don't  yet  know ;  nor  have  I 
the   means  of  pronouncing  whether  it  be  the  same  at  all 
seasons ;  but  should   think   probable  there  would  be  less 
current,  or  no  current,  from  the  north  during  the  autumn 
and  winter  months,  as  the  melting  of  the  Polar  ice  and  snow 
has  then  ceased. 

The  two  captains,  finding  the  colour  of  the  water  much 
changed,  this  morning  tried  its  temperature  with  my  ther- 
mometer before  I  was  up,  and  found  it  47  ;  at  ten,  however, 
I  tried,  and  found  it  49.  But  either  result  would  show  that 
we  are  on  soundings  ;  yet  no  bottom  could  be  found  at  one 
hundred  and  twenty  fathoms.  Lat.  at  noon  43'56. 

21.  The  calm  continued  till   twelve  last  night;  then  a 
breeze  at  S.W.     Stood   northwest  and    by   north,  and  at 
about  four  knots,  till  ten  this  morning.     Four  sail  in  sight. 
One  of  them,  right  ahead,  made  signal  to  speak.     We  came 
near  and  lay  to.     It  is  the  Margaret,  of  New  York,  Capt. 
Ward.     Sailed  from  Dublin  March  29,  and  in  the  gale  of 
the  eleventh  lost  some  of  her  sails  and  spars.     Our  captain 
spared  him  a  topsail.     Had  a  great  mind  to  write  to  you  by 


390  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

this  ship,  but  concluded  that  there  was  very  little  probabil- 
ity of  her  reaching  port  so  soon  as  we ;  and,  again,  did  not 
know  exactly  what  to  write. 

No  observation  to-day.  Temperature  of  the  water  at  ten 
this  morning,  54  ;  by  which  it  would  seem  that  we  are  again 
out  of  soundings.  We  are,  no  doubt,  on  the  edge  of  the 
Grand  Bank,  and  are  all  extremely  impatient  to  get  there  ; 
where,  if  becalmed,  we  may  at  least  amuse  ourselves  with 
fishing,  and  where,  also,  we  are  certain  of  meeting  with 
American  vessels,  who  will  tell  us  the  news.  Lat.  at  noon 
43*7.  Long,  by  reckoning  59. 

22.  The  light  he-ad-winds  lasted  till  midnight.    Then  came 
a  breeze  at  N.,  and  soon  after  N.N.E.,  and  we  have  ever 
since  been  going  seven  and  eight  knots,  and  the  same  now. 
At   noon   to-day  the   temperature   of  the   water   was   59; 
but  at  five  P.  M.  was  at  42.     Seeing  this  and  other  in- 
dications of  shoal  water,  the  captain  hove  to  at  seven  and 
threw  the  lead,  but  found  no  bottom,  which  surprised  us 
much.     It  is  evident,  from  all  these  facts,  that  the  outer  bank 
on  our  map,  called  the  Flemish  Cap,  extends  south  to  at  least 
44  of  latitude,  and  that  it  must  commence  in  about  44  of 
longitude.     But  as  the  water  is  too  deep  for  fishing  or  to  be 
interesting  to  mariners,  it  is  not  laid  down.     Further,  that 
from  the  outer  bank  to  the  edge  of  the  Grand  Bank  is  at 
least  four  degrees  of  longitude. 

The  thermometer  in  open  air  this  evening  is  39. 

23.  The  captain  called  me  up  at  six  this  morning  to  see 
some  ice  islands,  a  spectacle  not  expected  in  this  latitude, 
nor  at  this  season  in   any  latitude.     There  were  several 
small  floating  masses  of  ice  around  us.     One  or  two  of  them 
were  two  or  three  yards  out  of  water,  and  this  corresponded 
with  the  idea  I  had  formed  of  islands  of  floating  ice.     At  the 
same  time,  however,  was  discovered  another  island,  sup- 
posed to  be  then  about  a  league  ahpad.     But,  though  we 
were  going  six  knots  per  hour,  it  was  fifteen  minutes  past 
ten  before  we  came  abreast  of  this  last.     The  captain,  to 


OF  AARON   BURR.  391 

gratify  me,  went  as  near  as  he  durst;  perhaps  within  three 
or  four  hundred  yards.  As  we  approached,  we  were  aston- 
ished at  the  stupendous  height  and  grandeur  of  this  object. 
It  presented  to  the  northward  and  eastward,  the  side  on 
which  we  passed,  a  perpendicular  rock  of  alabaster  or  white 
marble,  of  an  elevation  not  less  than  two  hundred  and  fifty 
feet,  having  a  small  declivity  towards  the  south ;  so  that  at 
the  southern  extremity  it  had  not  apparently  more  than 
thirty  or  forty  feet  elevation,  and  at  the  southeast  corner  it 
shelved  away  to  the  water's  edge.  It  presented  the  appear- 
ance of  a  parallelogram  of  four  or  five  hundred  feet  by  two  or 
three  hundred.  No  doubt  it  was  aground,  as  the  highest 
part  was  towards  the  wind.  Just  after  discovering  this,  i.  e., 
at  seven  o'clock,  we  discovered  two  others,  bearing  nearly 
north  from  us,  both  of  them  much  larger,  and  one  of  them 
much  higher  than  that  which  I  have  described ;  but,  being 
more  out  of  our  course,  we  did  not  attempt  to  approach 
them.  One  of  them  was  certainly  ten  times  the  size  of  that 
which  we  examined,  but  I  think  not  quite  so  high.  At  ten 
saw  two  more  bearing  northwest.  One  of  them  presented 
the  appearance  of  two  obelisks,  or  two  lighthouses  of  white 
marble.  But  this  was  undoubtedly  afloat,  for  it  offered  a 
new  phase  at  every  ten  miles.  Sometimes  a  solid  mass, 
then  an  obelisk  and  a  pyramid,  then  a  church  with  a  steeple, 
and  repeating  all  these  changes. 

The  temperature  of  the  water  at  eight  o'clock  was  34, 
and  we  found  bottom  at  eighty  fathoms,  but  whether  on 
he  east  or  the  west  edge  of  the  bank,  we  doubt,  though  the 
bank  is  more  than  one  hundred  miles  across,  so  little  accu- 
rate is  our  longitude.  The  two  captains,  however,  seem 
very  positive  that  it  is  the  east  edge,  and  that  we  are  just 
coming  on  the  Grand  Bank.  We  are  to  sound  again  at  two 
P.  M. 

Latitude  45-56,  though  our  course  has  been  N.N.W. 
Still  a  southern  current,  you  see.  These  ice  islands  are 

naughty  things.     If  a  ship  going  at  six  or  seven  knots  should 
VOL.  II.  25 


392  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

y 

come  in  contact  with  one  of  them,  the  shock  would  certainly 
be  fatal.  We  must  have  run  the  gauntlet  last  night. 
Nothing  but  the  vicinity  of  ice  could  have  given  us  water  of 
the  temperature  of  34. 

At  three  we  hove  to  and  threw  our  lead,  but  could  find 
no  bottom.  We  have  continued  to  sail  at  about  six  knots, 
with  a  fair  wind,  a  serene  sky,  and  a  smooth  sea.  Could 
not  have  wished  a  finer  day. 

24.  A  little  past  twelve  last  night  the  wind  came  to  S.E  , 
and  presently  blew  such  a  gale  that  we  were  obliged  to  take 
in  sail.     We  continued,  however,  to  go  on  our  course  about 
seven  knots  till  seven  this  morning,  when  suddenly  a  calm, 
and  shortly  after  a  gale  of  equal  force  from  the  north.     We 
made  about  five  knots  all  day.     About  sunset  the  wind  be- 
came more  moderate,  and  came  round  to  N.N.E.,  and  we 
are  now  going  on  at  six  knots.     The  air  has  been  so  thick 
that  we  have  had  no  observation ;  raining  much.     At  two 
P.  M.  the  water  was  46. 

Have  had  a  headache  all  day.  Eaten  nothing.  Not  yet 
relieved. 

25.  Lat.  at  noon  42'6.     Headache  diminished,  but  not  re- 
moved yet  so  as  to  eat.     We  came  in  sight  of  a  ship  about 
three  leagues  north  of  us  about  sunset  yesterday.     Saw  an- 
other, or  the  same,  two  leagues  south  this  morning,  standing 
west.     The  wind  continued  north-northeast,  a  gentle  little 
breeze,  till  about  eleven  this  morning,  then  fell  to  a  dead 
calm,  and  soon  after  a  little  air  at  northwest.     We  are  proba- 
bly now  less  than  five  hundred  miles  from  our  port,  either 
Boston  or  Newburyport,  as  the  wind  may  favour.     I  should 
prefer  the  latter,  wishing  to  have  a  day  on  shore  incog,  be 
fore  announcing  myself.     A.  Burr  is  not  known  or  suspect 
ed  on  board,  save  by  Captain  Potter,  in  confidence.     Mr. 
Arnot  is  a  grave,  silent,  strange  sort  of  animal,  insomuch 
that  we  know  not  wiiat  to  make  of  him. 

We  have  not  made  more  than  three  or  four  leagues  the 
whole  day.  The  calm  still  continues,  mais  "  en  revanche." 


\ 


OF  AARON  BURR.  393 

The  afternoon  and  evening  are  clear ;  calm,  mild,  and  smooth 
sea.  The  full  moon  now  traversing  a  cloudless  sky.  Head- 
ache gone.  Have  not  seen  whale  or  porpoise  these  three 
days. 

26.  The  calm   continued  till   four  this  morning,  then  a 
breeze  at  east,  since  which  we   are   going  very  smoothly 
about  seven  knots.     The  wind  has  now  got  south,  which 
suits  us  very  well,  as  we  are  to  the  south  of  our  port.     At 
eight  this  morning  the  water  was  at  52.  '  The  breeze  rose 
to  eight  and  nine  knots  ;  about  four  came  to  southwest,  and 
by  seven  to  west,  direclly  ahead  (note  the  moon  became 
full  at  that  hour) ;  the  sky,  which  had  been  all  day  cloudy, 
now  became  clear  and  colder.     About  four    his  afternoon, 
seeing  the  water  change  colour,  I  tried  its  temperature,  and 
found  it  44 ;  a  pretty  certain  indication  of  soundings.     Yet 
the  ship's  reckoning  would  give  us  soundings  by  many  de- 
grees.    The  two  captains  were  a  good  deal  puzzled  to  know 
what  to  think  of  it.     Captain  Nicholls  rather  thought  we 
must  be  on  the  edge  of  George's  Bank.     It  is  more  proba- 
ble that  we  are  on  the  Sable  Bank.     We  continue,  however, 
to  stand  north.     Just  now  we  have  tried  the  water  again,  and 
find  it  41. 

27.  By  an  observation  of  the  moon  at  midnight  last  night, 
our  latitude  was  43'8.     An  observation  of  the  sun  at  noon 
to-day  gave  us  43.     Temperature  of  the  water  just  now,  49  ; 
so  that  we  are  nearly  off  the  bank,  whatever  it  may  have 
been.     At  four  this  morning  we  tacked  and  stood  S.  and  by 
W.     We  are  probably  something  farther  off  our  port  than  we 
were  at  seven  last  evening.     The  wind  has  continued  steadi- 
ly at  W.,  and  so  heavy  that  we  carry  very  little  sail,  and  are 
rather  lying  to  than  sailing,  but  with  a  most  uncomfortable 
sea.     Eleven  P.  M.,  the  wind  continues  at  the  same  point 
and  with  the  same  force.     We  are  unmercifully  tossed,  and 
think  we  do  well  if  we  hold  our  own.     Not  a  cloud  in  the 
sky  the  last  thirty  hours. 

28.  Midi.     Raining  hard.     No  observation.     At  four  this 


394  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

morning  the  wind  fell,  and  soon  after  a  light  breeze  at  S. 
about  five  knots ;  it  has  gradually  freshened,  and  is  now  at 
N.E.,  the  best  possible  point,  and  about  seven  knots.  *  *** 
******  Something  analogous  is  a  dialogue  which  took 
place  between  two  noble  ladies  at  a  party  at  which  I  was 
present,  though  not  at  the  moment  within  hearing.  The  la- 
dies were  at  cards  and  high  bets.  "  But,  my  dear  countess, 
you  cheat."  "  No,  my  dear  duchess,  you  lie." 

Four  P.  M.  Soon  after  noon  the  wind  rose  to  a  gale. 
We  are  scudding  under  a  foresail  and  double-reefed  topsail, 
but  scudding  on  our  course  at  seven  or  eight  knots.  For 
about  two  hours  this  afternoon  it  has  snowed  very  hard,  with 
continued  thunder.  Captain  Nicholls  says  that  in  the  Gulf 
Stream  it  often  thunders  when  there  is  not  a  cloud  in  the 
sky.  You,  who  have  had  so  much  gulf-navigation,  did  you 
ever  hear  it  under  a  cloudless  sky  ?  We  are  not  now,  how- 
ever, in  the  gulf.  About  seven  the  wind  rose  to  a  tempest; 
we  can  carry  nothing  but  foresail  and  main-topsail,  both 
double-reefed,  and  even  thus  we  go  on  our  course  near  ten 
knots.  It  has  cleared  off  and  is  cold.  At  seven  the  water 
was  58. 

29.  Lat.  4T3,  which  is  nearly  one  hundred  miles  S.  of 
our  port.  Temperature  of  the  water  at  ten  was  56.  The 
wind  continued  all  night  with  the  same  fury  and  at  the  same 
point,  N.E.N.  It  is  now  a  little,  but  very  little  abated.  It 
renders  us  very  uncomfortable  by  the  tossing  and  the  spray ; 
but,  to  console  us,  we  advance  to  our  destination.  Our  lon- 
gitude must  be  about  64  or  65,  so  that  one  day's  good  sailing 
would  take  us  in  ;  but,  as  we  are  south  of  our  port,  we  can 
not  get  in  without  a  wind  some  points  more  south.  To  make 
things  worse,  we  are  now  every  minute  making  more 
southerly.  Forgot  to  say  that  at  eight  this  morning  the  wa- 
ter was  44,  which  disturbed  us  a  good  deal.  Our  captain 
concluded  that  we  were  on  the  S.E.  point  of  George's  Bank. 
Finding  how  much  we  were  south  of  our  port,  at  noon  hauled 
up  close  to  the  wind,  after  which  we  did  not  make  more  than 


OF    AARON    BURR.  395 

two  knots  per  hour  of  headway,  and  full  as  much  leeway. 
About  nine  this  evening  the  wind  has  so  far  abated  that  we 
set  all  our  topsails,  but  reefed.  The  day  and  evening  clear 
and  fine,  except  too  cold.  Thermometer  in  the  air  at  39. 
A  heavy  sea  throws  us  leeward  in  spite  of  our  course. 

30.  Lat.  40'40,  just  that  of  Sandy  Hook.  Temperature 
of  water  60,  which  looks  like  an  approach  to  the  Gulf  Stream. 
Our  reckoning  gives  us  long.  67'56,  say  68.  The  wind  at 
the  same  point  and  more  moderate.  We  have  just  now 
taken  the  reefs  out  of  our  topsails  and  set  our  mainsail. 
For  the  first  time  these  three  days  we  have  breakfasted  at 
table  and  sat  in  chairs.  But  the  wind  is  at  the  same  point. 
Cold,  cloudy,  but  not  very  thick.  The  wind  has  gradually 
fallen,  and  we  are  now  in  a  dead  calm. 

TO    THEODOSIA. 

London,  May  9,  1812. 

If  there  should  be  war,  and  national  honour  and  national 
interest  loudly  demand  it,  I  advise  your  husband  to  apply 
for  a  military  commission.  He  has  extraordinary  talents  in 
that  line,  and  may  never  have  another  opportunity  to  display 
them.  If  he  would  succeed,  he  must  apply  in  person ;  he 
would  assuredly  have  the  support  of  your  governor,  who- 
ever he  may  be,  and  of  the  members  from  the  state.  I  think 
he  would  easily  obtain  a  regiment. 

I  am  not  content  with  the  exclusive  domestic  education 
which  you  give  the  boy.  It  imposes  on  him  a  dreary  la- 
bour, enough  to  benumb  his  faculties,  and  which  will  have 
that  effect.  None  of  the  sports  of  youth  to  enliven  his  lei- 
sure hours  !  No  emulation  !  no  example  !  no  associate  in 
his  labours  !  Besides,  it  is  now  that  he  should  begin  to  im- 
bibe that  knowledge  of  the  world  so  essential  in  demo- 
cratic governments,  and  which  can  only  be  acquired  by 
mingling  with  his  equals  on  equal  terms.  It  is  high  time 
that  he  commence  this  apprenticeship. 

Think,  also,  of  the  moral  effects  which  your  mode  will 


396  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

produce.  I  mean,  its  influence  on  his  temper,  his  cast  of 
mind,  and  his  future  views  and  projects.  I  could  write  an 
essay  on  this  subject,  but  you  can  do  it  just  as  well ;  nay, 
better,  for  you  will  say  all  I  could  say  and  something  more. 
So,  madame,  set  about  it  forthwith.  Keep  in  mind,  in  com- 
posing your  essay,  the  difference,  in  this  particular,  between 
a  republic  and  a  despotism. 

As  to  the  controversy,  so  long  subsisting,  about  the  pref- 
erence due  to  public  or  private  education,  all  that  I  have 
read  on  the  subject  is  little  better  than  downright  nonsense. 
There  are  those  who  can  never  agree  about  the  sort  of  pub- 
lic or  the  sort  of  domestic  education ;  nor  about  the  desti- 
nation of  their  pupil.  I  would  unite  the  advantages  of  both, 
thus :  So  soon  as  I  shall  be  settled  in  New-York,  send  me 
the  boy  and  his  tutor.  They  must  both  live  with  me.  The 
college  in  New-York  has  excellent  teachers  in  every  branch, 
good  mathematical  instruments,  philosophical  apparatus,  and 
library.  The  boy  shall  there  try  his  strength  in  the  arena 
of  competition,  where  he  shall  have  fair  play,  but  no  favour. 
I  shall  superintend  his  studies  and  his  pursuits  of  every 
kind  (for  which  I  shall  have  abundant  leisure,  proposing  to 
abstract  myself  from  all  political  concerns),  awaken  his  ge- 
nius, and  keep  every  faculty  on  the  stretch. 

Is  it  not  manifest  that,  in  this  way,  he  would  in  one  year 
acquire  more,  and  with  an  ardour,  an  animation,  and  enthu- 
siasm to  which  he  has  hitherto  been  a  stranger,  than  he 
would  in  your  way  in  four  years  of  monotonous  and  gloomy 
toil?  But  the  difference  in  the  quantity  of  literary  acquire- 
ments is  of  infinitely  less  moment  than  that  which  will  be 
produced  in  his  character,  and  in  the  invigoration  of  his  fac- 
ulties and  the  expansion  of  his  mind.  If,  indeed,  it  be  re- 
solved that  he  is  to  do  nothing  in  this  world  but  drive  ne- 
groes and  plant  rice,  the  present  plan  may  do  well  enough ; 
but  even  then  I  should  pity  the  poor  little  fellow,  for  all  the 
dull,  irksome,  unsatisfactory  drudgery  he  must  undergo. 
Pensez  y  mes  enfans. 


OF    AARON    BURR.  397 

The  United  States'  charge  des  affaires  here,  Jonathan 
Russell,  and  the  consuls,  have  done  all  in  their  power  to  keep 
me  here.  They,  at  least  the  consuls,  and  supposed  under 
the  influence  of  Russell,  have  menaced  masters  of  vessels 
with  the  displeasure  of  government  if  they  should  dare  to 
take  me  out.  Whether  this  be  by  instructions  from  the 
government  or  of  their  private  malice,  I  know  not;  but  it 
has  put  me  to  great  trouble  and  expense,  and  you  and  the 
boy  will  suffer  for  it,  for  I  have  been  obliged  to  sell  all  the 
pretty  things  I  had  bought  for  you  at  Paris.  Don't  cry,  dear 
little  soul,  pappy  will  buy  thee  more  !  But,  in  truth,  I  do 
not  think  either  of  you  will  much  grudge  the  sacrifice  of 
your  watches,  and  trinkets,  and  cambrics,  and  ribands,  when 
you  know  that  the  object  was  to  get  me  out,  and  that  there 
was  no  other  way.  Now  I  tell  you  that  I  shall  get  out  in 
spite  of  them,  and  very  soon.  A.  BURR. 

TO   JONATHAN    MASON. 

Boston,  May  14,  1812. 

Private.  I  pray  you  not  to  conjecture  aloud  who  may  be 
the  writer  of  this  note ;  he  wishes  to  remain  incog,  a  few 
days.  You  will  be  pleased,  therefore,  not  to  mention  his 
name  in  case  you  should  recognise  the  handwriting.  If  you 
will  take  the  trouble  of  calling  at  Mrs.  Goodrich's,  Cornhill 
Square,  back  of  Joy's  buildings,  you  will  find  an  old  ac- 
quaintance who  wishes  half  an  hour's  conversation  with  you. 
If  you  should  prefer  any  other  place,  I  will  meet  you  from 
eight  to  ten  this  evening  wherever  you  may  name  ;  but  be 
precise  as  to  your  hour  and  place. 

FROM    THEODOSIA. 

Oaks  (S.  C.),  May  16,  1812. 

Your  letter  of  the  25th  March,  London,  has  just  reached 
me,  and  I  hasten  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  it,  although 
quite  in  uncertainty  as  to  your  address,  of  which  you  say 
nothing.  But,  upon  the  whole,  I  think  there  can  be  no  risk 
in  adhering  to  the  old  way. 


398  PRIVATE   JOURNAL 

The  arrival  of  60*  rejoices  me.  How  anxiously  I  await 
the  packets,  &c.,  you  have  confided  to  him.  I  hope  he  will 
not  fail  to  perform  his  promise  of  visiting  me  this  summer. 
He  must  know  my  solicitude  to  hear  so  directly  from  you. 
As  it  will  suit  his  affairs  better,  probably,  he  had  best  sail 
for  Savannah,  thence  by  water  to  Augusta,  which  is  eighty 
miles  from  Grenville.  The  road  is  frequently  travelled,  and 
wagons  pass  so  often  between  Augusta  and  Grenville  that 
his  baggage  may  frequently  find  conveyance.  Our  house  is 
not  finished  and  our  purse  is  low,  therefore  his  fare  cannot 
be  very  sumptuous;  but  he  does  not  mind  those  things. 

As  to  my  health,  let  me  beg  you  not  to  suffer  it  to  give 
you  a  moment's  anxiety.  It  is  neither  good  nor  bad.  Some- 
times more  of  one  than  the  other.  A  kind  of  gentle  vacilla- 
tion, to  which  I  have  long  been  accustomed.  Indeed,  I  am 
not  ill.  More  of  this  when  you  give  me  some  more  assured 
channels  of  communication ;  and  then,  likewise,  I  should 
wish  to  know  what  are  your  plans  and  prospects. 

In  a  few  days,  perhaps,  we  shall  know  whether  we  are  to 
starve,  or  starve  and  fight  too.  A  war  with  England  would 
necessarily  affect  the  plans  of  all  Americans  at  home  or 
abroad.  In  that  case,  suppose  you  should  offer  your  ser- 
vices to  government.  I  hope  soon  to  hear  from  you,  and  to 
see  60. 

Gamp,  is  well ;  his  little  soul  warms  at  the  sound  of  your 
name.  His  health  has  been  better  since  we  have  adopted 
the  plan  of  residing  at  Grenville  during  the  summer,  though 
we  do  not  go  early  enough.  We  leave  this  the  latter  end  of 
June.  Gampy  has  a  tutor,  who  fulfils  his  task  very  well. 

For  personal  reasons,  I  am  very  desirous  of  having  some 
unrestrained  conversation  with  you.  As  to  your  plans,  my 
opinion  and  that  of  Mari  still  remain  what  my  last  an- 
nounced. Adieu.  THEODOSIA. 

*  Col.  Burr ;  then  at  Boston,  to  which  place  this  letter  was  forwarded,  and 
from  which  place  his  letter,  dated  "  25th  March,  London,"  was  written  to  Theo 
dosia. 


OF  AARON  BURR.  399 


TO  JONATHAN  MASON. 

Boston,  May  17,  1812. 

I  learn,  from  the  gentleman  to  whom  you  wrote,  the  re- 
serve which  you  think  necessary  to  impose  on  yourself, 
and  that  the  motive  to  it  is  a  respect  to  the  prejudices  of 
others,  and  not  from  any  which  have  invaded  your  own 
mind.  To  this  conduct  I  can  certainly  have  nothing  to  ob- 
ject, being  totally  ignorant  of  the  force  or  extent  of  those 
prejudices,  which  will  also  apologize  for  the  indiscretion,  if 
such  it  can  be  deemed,  of  the  request  lately  made  to  you. 
The  inducements  to  that  request  being  no  longer  of  any 
consequence,  this  note  will  be  confined  to  a  mere  personal 
concern. 

Owing  to  circumstances  even  more  extraordinary  than 
those  which  you  witnessed,  and  emanating  from  the  same 
vindictive  source,  but  which  it  would  be  manifestly  improp- 
er here  to  detail,  I  have  been  detained  against  my  will  more 
than  thirty  months.  Thus  my  finances  have  become  ex- 
hausted ;  but  I  have  now  here  several  trunks  and  cases  of 
valuable  books,  mostly  in  foreign  languages,  and  all  select- 
ed for  my  own  use.  They  may  be  worth  from  six  to  eight 
hundred  dollars.  These  I  would  propose  to  sell  to  you,  or 
to  deposite  with  you,  as  you  may  prefer.  If,  however,  you 
should  be  willing  to  advance  me  a  part  of  that  sum,  say  from 
two  to  three  hundred  dollars,  to  be  repaid  so  soon  as  I  shall 
be  established,  it  would  be  more  agreeable  to  me. 

It  is  with  regret  I  add,  that,  without  the  aid  above  pro- 
posed, I  see  no  probability  of  quitting  this  place.  A  cata- 
logue of  the  books  shall  be  transmitted  as  you  may  direct. 
Allow  me  to  expect  an  early  answer.  It  is  proper  to  add, 
that  I  have  no  view  but  that  of  making  money. 

A.  BURR. 


400  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

JOURNAL. 

May  1.  Early  this  morning  a  very  light  breeze  at  N.N.E.. 
the  old  quarter.  It  has  come  round,  and  is  now  at  N.W. ; 
so  that  we  stand  a  north  course,  but  our  progress  not  more 
than  two  knots  per  hour.  A  clear  day  and  smooth  sea ;  but 
the  air  too  cool  for  comfort.  At  twelve  (noon),  latitude 
40*20.  At  four  P.  M.  found  the  water  down  to  45.  As 
this  is  a  degree  of  cold  which  indicates  soundings,  we  lay 
to  at  eight,  threw  the  lead,  and  found  bottom  at  thirty  fath- 
oms, which  our  mariners  concluded  to  be  the  S.W.  or  S.E. 
end  of  George's  Bank.  But,  this  afternoon,  the  wind  coming 
round  to  west,  we  stood  on  the  starboard  tack,  and  made 
good  a  north  course. 

Spent  some  hours  this  afternoon  in  writing  you  a  little 
cipher  letter  to  announce  to  you  my  arrival.  This  letter  I 
shall  put  in  the  postoffice  the  moment  of  landing. 

The  wind  still  at  west,  and  now  a  stiff  breeze.  The  day 
and  night  clear. 

2.  Midi.  Latitude  4T4.  The  wind  rose  last  night  to  a 
gale,  so  that  we  were  obliged  to  take  in  sail.  About  four 
this  morning  it  shifted  to  N.W.,  which  obliged  us  to  stand 
on  t'other  tack ;  our  course  S.W.W. ;  so  that  we  are  now 
losing  the  little  northing  which  we  made  yesterday.  The 
thermometer  at  48.  We  suppose  ourselves  to  be  in  what 
is  called  the  south  channel,  i.  e.,  between  George's  Shoals 
and  the  Nantucket  Shoals.  Though  we  have  been  these 
five  days  in  the  high  road  of  all  outward-bound  ships,  yet 
during  all  that  time  we  have  not  seen  one,  and  have  seen 
only  one  inward-bound.  Our  captains  conclude  there  must 
be  a  very  rigorous  embargo.  They  say  that  they  never 
either  of  them  passed  this  way  without  meeting  from  fifteen 
to  fifty  vessels.  The  day  very  clear,  but  cold. 

"  The  sun's  perpendicular  height  illumined  the  depth  of  the  sea, 
And  the  fishes,  beginning  to  sweat,  cried,  D— n  it,  how  hot  we  shall  be." 

The  first  of  these  lines  was  written  at  the  top  of  a  sheet 


OF    AARON    BURR.  401 

on  the  table  of  a  poetaster,  as  the  beginning  of  some  sub- 
lime ode.  An  acquaintance,  passing,  added  the  second. 

Four  P.  M.  The  wind  very  light,  but  that  little  has 
come  to  W.S.W.,  and  we  have  just  shifted  to  the  starboard 
tack,  and  are  standing  northward ;  but  make  more  leeway 
than  headway. 

Minuit.  A  dead  calm  for  several  hours  past.  Cloudy. 
Not  quite  so  cold  as  this  morning.  Thirty-five  fathoms 
water. 

3.  About  four  this  morning  came  a  light  breeze  from  the 
southeast.  By  ten  it  was  at  five  knots.  At  eleven  it  came 
round  to  northeast,  where  it  is  now,  with  rain  and  hail.  We 
lay  our  course  very  well,  and  go  on  at  six  knots.  Twenty 
fathom  water.  Supposed  to  be  on  George's  Bank,  very  near 
the  shoal ;  but  both  our  captains  say  that  the  George's 
Shoal,  such  an  object  of  terror  to  all  mariners  in  this  quar- 
ter, is  no  shoal  at  all.  Both  say  that  they  have  often  sailed 
over  it,  and  never  found  less  than  five  fathoms  water.  Fur- 
ther, that  they  never  heard  of  a  vessel  wrecked  or  grounded 
on  this  shoal.  Yet  Captain  N.  says  that  it  is  very  possible 
that,  in  a  very  heavy  gale,  the  water  might  break  in  five 
fathoms,  and  thus,  at  such  a  time,  be  dangerous. 

I  forgot  to  tell  you  that  in  all  the  charts  are  laid  down 
one  or  two  little  islands  on  the  Great  Bank,  and  two  or  three 
more  between  that  and  the  Azores,  but  some  degrees  distant 
from  the  latter.  These  islands  have  no  existence  but  on  the 
charts.  Early  navigators  may  very  probably  have  seen  isl- 
ands of  ice  in  these  positions,  and  may,  very  honestly,  have 
reported  them  as  islands  of  land  or  rock,  and  thus  has  been 
handed  down  the  error.  George's  Shoals  are,  I  think,  about 
sixty  miles  from  Cape  Cod.  Nantucket  Shoals  thirty  miles 
from  Nantucket  Island,  being  the  nearest  land  in  each  case. 

Five  P.  M.  Our  wind  freshens  a  little,  and  continues 
about  east.  Varying  a  point  or  two  sometimes  to  the  north, 
sometimes  to  the  south.  A  beautiful,  steady  breeze,  and  as 
fair  as  possible.  We  go  eight  knots  and  more,  and  a  smooth 


402  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

sea  ;  but,  unfortunately,  rainy  and  thick,  which  is  not  pleas- 
ant so  near  land.  Sounded  at  three,  no  bottom ;  again  at 
four,  no  bottom  ;  so  that  we  have  passed  the  George's  Shoals, 
but  whether  to  the  north  or  the  south  we  are  uncertain. 
Gamp,  has  had  an  alarm  of  a  different  sort.  Captain  Nich- 
olls  asked  me  to-day  if  I  knew  V.  D.  L.,  the  painter.  Now, 
as  Nicholls  was  at  Paris  when  I  was  there,  ten  to  one  but 
he  has  seen  me ;  certainly  he  has  seen  my  picture.  Shall 
I  make  a  merit  of  necessity  and  put  the  confidence  in  him, 
or  take  my  chance  ? 

Our  breeze  has  become  a  gale,  and  we  are  again  under 
reefed  topsails ;  going,  however,  at  eight  and  nine  knots. 
We  have  just  sounded  and  find  no  bottom.  The  captain 
determines  to  stand  on,  though  the  weather  be  thick. 

Boston  Harbour,  May  4,  1812.  At  four  this  morning  land 
was  discovered.  At  seven,  Cape  Ann  Lighthouse  was 
shown  to  me.  A  pilot  is  in  sight,  and  within  two  miles  of 
us.  All  is  bustle  and  joy  except  Gamp.  Why  should  he 
rejoice  ? 

At  three  P.  M.  we  cast  anchor  off  the  wharf  at  Boston. 
At  eleven  this  forenoon  a  most  violent  N.E.  storm,  with 
rain  and  snow  in  abundance.  The  captains  Potter  and  Nich- 
olls have  gone  off  to  Newburyport.  Smith  and  family  have 
gone  on  shore.  Forsdyck,  the  mate,  on  shore.  I  chose  to 
remain  on  board.  Have  just  been  dining  with  the  pilot  and 
the  second  mate,  on  salt  beef  and  potatoes,  with  sea  biscuit. 
Sent  off  a  letter  to  you  this  morning,  and  another  to  S.  S. 
It  was  by  mistake  we  got  in  here.  The  Cape  Ann  light- 
house, which  I  told  you  we  saw  at  seven  this  morning, 
proved  to  be  the  Boston  lighthouse.  We  had  got  too  far 
to  go  back  with  this  wind,  and  so  came  in  of  necessity. 
No  custom-house  officers  have  yet  been  on  board.  I  am 
now  quite  alone  in  the  cabin,  smoking  my  pipe,  and  writing 
to  mes  enfans. 

Seven  P.  M.  Forsdyck  went  on  shore,  and  has  brought 
with  him  his  friend  Palmer,  formerly  mate  of  this  ship,  and 


OF    AARON    BURR.  403 

whose  father  keeps  a  boarding-house  in  this  town ;  a  very 
decent  young  man.  He  brought  me  newspapers,  and  has 
told  me  a  deal  of  news.  Forsdyck  brought  me  bread,  but- 
ler, and  cider,  the  only  luxuries  for  which  I  sent,  except 
milk,  which  could  not  be  had,  by  reason  of  the  weather. 
I  never  saw  it  snow  faster  in  January ;  and  now,  again,  a 
mixture  of  rain  and  snow.  I  have  been  drinking  a  whole 
bottle  of  cider  and  reading  the  newspapers  ;  but  won't  tell 
you  what  I  have  learned,  as  you  know  it  all  already.  My 
enemies,  I  see,  are  not  at  their  ease.  I  think  to  remain  on 
board  till  Potter  returns,  which  will  be  some  time  to-morrow, 
and  then — why,  then,  we  will  see. 

It  is  a  most  tremendous  gale ;  how  fortunate  that  we  are 
in  port !  What  an  infernal  racket  there  is  above.  Let  us 
see  what's  the  matter.  Matter  enough.  The  gale  has 
driven  us  from  our  moorings  about  three  hundred  yards, 
plump  against  a  ship  alongside  the  wharf,  to  the  great  haz- 
ard of  both  vessels.  We  are  moored  to  the  wharf,  and,  if 
the  rain  should  cease,  I  shall  take  the  liberty  of  stepping  on 
shore,  to  see  if  I  can  walk  on  terra  firma.  Noon.  The 
storm  rages  with  the  utmost  fury.  The  deck  and  the  cabin 
doors  are  a  glaze  of  ice.  Not  a  soul  on  board  the  ship  but 
myself.  Now,  if  the  wind  should  come  round  to  N.W.,  and 
drive  the  ship  from  the  dock  out  to  sea,  what  a  charming 
voyage  I  should  have  all  alone  ! 

5.  We  had  no  fuel,  no  cook,  no  steward ;  could  boil  no 
kettle.  So  was  obliged  to  leave  the  ship  and  take  quarters 
on  shore.  Am  lodged  at  a  plain  boarding-house,  kept  by 
Mrs.  Goodrich,  widow  of  a  sea  captain,  who  has  three  grown 
sons  ;  fine,  cheerful,  active,  obliging  young  men.  She  is  a 
most  civil,  obliging  creature.  The  dramatis  personae  of  the 
house  shall  be  given  another  time.  I  have  not  yet  got  all 
their  names. 

The  wind  came  to  N.W.  last  night,  and  has  ever  since 
blown  a  tempest.  If  we  had  been  two  hours  later  in  making 
the  land  yesterday,  it  would  have  been  impossible  for  us  to 


404  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

have  got  in,  and  we  should  have  been  now  buffeted  in  the 
ocean,  or,  more  probably,  lodged  on  Nantucket  Shoals  or 
Cape  Cod.  There  has  been  a  battle  between  the  mate  and 
one  of  the  sailors,  whom  he  had  offended  on  the  passage ; 
poor  Forsdyck  has  got  shockingly  beaten. 

6.  Went  to  the  ship  at  nine  this  morning  to  get  my  things 
landed,  but  was  told  by  the  agent  of  the  owners  that,  as 
the  ship  was  going  to  Newburyport,  and  could  not  enter 
here  without  incurring  an  expense  of  one  hundred  dollars, 
our  effects  must  all  go  round  to  Newburyport,  as  nothing 
could  be  taken  out  till  entry  made.  This  was  unpleasant  to 
me,  as  it  would  occasion  an  expense  of  at  least  twenty  dol- 
lars to  get  my  things  from  Newburyport  to  Boston.  How- 
ever, set  to  work,  got  my  things  in  order,  and  gave  them  in 
charge  to  Southwick,  the  second  mate.  Just  as  this  was 
done,  in  comes  our  rascally  steward,  with  a  permit  from  the 
collector  to  land  his  things.  He  said  no  difficulty  at  all  was 
made  by  the  collector.  On  this  Smith  went  up  and  pres- 
ently came  down  with  a  permit  for  his  effects.  Now  here 
occurred  a  dilemma.  Dearborn,  the  collector  (son  of  the 
general),  knows  me  as  well  as  you  do,  having  seen  me  hun- 
dreds of  times  both  in  public  and  in  private ;  for  me  to  go 
direct  to  him  to  take  an  oath  and  demand  a  permit  in  the 
name  of  Arnot,  seemed  to  be  an  experiment  that  promised 
little  success,  and,  in  case  of  discovery,  might  expose  me  to 
serious  inconveniences,  as  the  family  of  Dearborn  have 
been  extremely  vindictive  against  me,  and,  no  doubt,  would, 
under  pretence  of  searching  for  goods,  have  possessed  them- 
selves of  my  papers.  On  the  other  hand,  to  spend  twenty 
dollars  out  of  thirty-two,  which  is  my  whole  stock,  in  going 
to  Newburyport  and  returning  my  things  by  land,  might  dis- 
able me  from  ever  getting  out  of  Boston.  I  preferred,  there- 
fore, the  contingent  to  the  certain  evil.  Took  with  me  a 
young  man  to  show  me  the  way  to  the  custom-house,  and 
entered  with  all  possible  composure  ;  passed  under  the  nose 
of  Mr.  Dearborn  into  the  adjoining  room,  where  the  first 


OF  AARON    BURR.  405 

part  of  the  business  was  to  be  done.  The  officer  to  whom 
I  was  directed  asked  me  to  enumerate  my  effects ;  for  this 
I  was  not  prepared,  supposing  that  the  list  of  them  would 
be  taken  from  the  manifest.  Nevertheless,  I  repeated  them 
off  as  fast  as  he  could  write,  though  they  consisted  of  eigh- 
teen different  articles  ;  trunks,  boxes,  portmanteaus,  bundles, 
rolls,  &c.  He  then  bade  me  sign  my  name  to  it,  which  I 
did,  thus  :  A.  Arnot ;  I  think  that  is  very  like  it.  Then  he 
directed  me  to  take  it  to  the  collector,  who  would  sign  it ; 
here  was  the  rub.  I  told  the  young  man,  my  conductor,  to 
take  it  and  get  it  signed  for  me,  for  that  I  was  obliged  to 
run  as  fast  as  possible  to  see  after  my  things,  the  ship  being 
just  about  to  haul  out.  He  took  it,  and  I  got  out  as  fast  as 
I  could,  passing  again  under  the  nose  of  Dearborn.  I  do 
assure  thee  that  I  felt  something  lighter  when  I  got  down 
into  the  street.  But  my  trouble  and  danger  were  not  yet 
ended.  When  I  got  to  the  wharf,  all  my  effects  were  al- 
ready laying  pellmell  on  the  ground,  and  two  tide-waiters 
there,  ready  to  examine  them  on  the  spot.  As  everybody 
here  is  now  idle  by  reason  of  the  embargo,  there  were  col- 
lected more  than  five  hundred  people  to  see  what  was  going 
forward.  Trunks,  boxes,  bundles,  every  one  opened,  and 
rummaged  to  the  bottom.  In  many  of  the  books  my  name 
was  written,  but  it  happened  that  he  did  not  open  in  that 
page.  Every  parcel  of  letters  showed  also  the  name  of  A. 
Burr ;  but,  as  I  assisted  in  the  search,  I  took  care  how  I 
presented  these  parcels  to  him.  The  ceremony  lasted  about 
two  hours,  and  I  was  another  hour  repacking ;  working  and 
sweating  like  a  horse,  the  mob  crowding  round  to  see  the 
strange  things.  Of  the  number  present,  it  is  probable  that 
more  than  half  had  seen  me  before  ;  and  I  expected  every 

minute  to  hear  some  one  exclaim,  "  Col.  Burr    by !" 

But  I  heard  nothing.    Finally,  got  all  to  my  lodgings,  the 
whole  expense  being  six  dollars. 

Boston,  May  7,  1812.     Sat  up  till  twelve  last  night  read- 
ing the  newspapers,  and  have  done  nothing  else  all  this  day. 


406  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

Having  heard  no  hints  about  A.  Burr,  nor  seeing  anything 
about  him  in  the  papers,  conclude  that  he  escaped  notice 
during  the  vexatious  proceedings  of  yesterday,  though  it  is 
possible  that  Dearborn  may  have  recognised  me,  and  had 
the  policy  to  hold  his  tongue  and  to  write  to  the  president ; 
but  this  is  not  probable.  Besides  being  on  the  wharf  yes- 
terday more  than  five  hours,  I  was  obliged  to  walk  no  less 
than  six  times  the  whole  length  of  State-street  and  the  long 
wharf,  the  most  public  and  crowded  parts  of  the  town. 
Thanks  to  Dr.  Smith's  wig  and  my  huge  whiskers  if  I  have 
not  been  recognised.  In  this  house  there  are,  besides  the 
family  of  Smith,  my  fellow-passengers,  four  other  ladies  and 
three  gentlemen  boarders.  But  you  are  impatient  to  learn 
how  long  this  state  of  inaction  will  continue,  and  when  and 
how  it  will  terminate.  That  it  cannot  last  long,  the  state 
of  my  finances  will  attest.  But  I  must  wait  for  answers 
to  the  letters  which  I  have  written  to  New-York,  and  for 
those  you  may  have  written  the  last  twelve  months,  and 
transmitted  to  Gahn  as  I  directed ;  then  it  may  be  necessary 
that  I  have  one  confidential  friend  here  to  aid  me  in  certain 
matters,  which  it  would  take  too  much  time  and  paper  to 
explain;  in  order  to  determine  on  such  confidence,  I  have 
been  reading  over  the  whole  directory.  Among  all  that  part 
of  my  acquaintance  whom  you  have  ever  seen  or  of  whom 
you  have  ever  heard  me  speak,  I  do  not  find  one  that  will 
answer.  I  find  the  name  of  Benjamin  Fessenden ;  one  of 
the  same  name,  perhaps  the  same  person,  for  he  was  a  New- 
England  man,  served  under  my  command  during  my  hard 
campaign  in  Westchester  (1779,  1780)  as  ensign.  If  it 
prove  to  be  the  same  person,  I  think  to  make  myself  known 
to  him  on  Saturday  or  Sunday.  My  letters  from  New- York 
are  not  expected  before  Monday. 

Eleven  P.  M.  I  have  been  walking  an  hour  to  gather  in- 
spiration from  exercise  and  fresh  air,  but  no  illumination 
came.  We  will  try  the  effect  of  a  good  sleep.  I  do  sleep 
like  an  angel,  or,  rather,  like  an  infant,  five  or  six  hours, 


OF    AARON    BURR.  407 

without  dreaming,  without  turning,  and  wake  doubting  wheth- 
er I  have  been  ten  minutes  in  bed. 

8.  Eh  bien,  mes  enfants.  La  premiere  de  marche  estfait 
et  n'a  pas  trop  bien  reussie.  J'ai  1'este  toute  la  journee  chez 
moi  comme  hui,  mais  croyant  que  mes  lettres  pent  etre  ar- 
rives chez  le  Major  Johnson,  car  j'ai  ecrit  a  cet  efTet  de  Lon- 
dres  quelques  remaines  avant  mon  depart,  et  ne  voulant  pas 
les  demander  personellement,  j'ai  sorti  ce  soir  et  me  juis 
render  chez  mon  compagnon  de  Gerrare.  C'etoit  a  ce  ter- 
ors  la  un  assez  jolie  Galliard,  mince,  gai,  badinant.  Actu- 
ellement  c'est  un  gros  bon  homme  Viellard.  Mais  vieux. 
Mon  Dieu  !  que  je  dois  etre  vieux  aussi.  Apres  1'avoir  fait 
plusieurs  questions  pour  me  bien  assurer  que  c'etoit  mon 
homme,  je  me  suis  annonce.  II  en  a  temoigne  beaucoup, 
beaucoup  d'etonnement,  mais  pas  le  moindre  plaisir.  Ne 
amains,  il  a  promis  de  garder  mon  secret,  et  je  le  crois. 
Aussi  ira-t-il  demain  matin  demander  mes  lettres.  Je  me 
repons  un  peu  d'avoir  pres  ce  pas,  for  it  was  unnecessary. 
He  had  not  the  slightest  recollection  of  me,  and  could  scarce- 
ly be  persuaded  of  my  identity.  It  would  have  been  better 
to  have  sent  Mr.  Arnot  with  a  letter  of  introduction  from 
Col.  Burr.  Mais  nous  voila. 

Dramatis  Persona. 

Mrs.  Goodrich,  fat,  forty,  bien  conservee,  active,  good-na- 
tured. 

Mrs.  Smith,  wife  of  mate  of  a  ship,  and  sister  of  Mrs.  G., 
thirty,  well-looking,  nervous,  sentimental,  religious. 

Three  fils  de  Madame  G.,  say  fifteen,  seventeen,  nineteen, 
tres  bien. 

Simson,  young  merchant,  intelligent,  well-behaved. 

Lincoln,  grandson  of  the  late  general,  roue. 

Madame  Tarbaud,  nee  Angloise,  passed  her  infancy  in 
France  ;  married  a  Frenchman  in  Martinique  ;  two  enfans ; 
thirty-five,  blonde,  artificielle. 

Mrs.  Smitz,  sa  m&re. 

VOL.  II.  26 


408  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith,  and  three  enfans,  my  fellow-passen- 
gers. 

We  had  this  evening  an  action  between  le  fils  aine  de  le 
maison  and  son  parent  Smith,  which  terminated  in  a  manner 
wholly  without  example  in  ancient  or  modern  history,  or  even 
in  fable.  A  black  girl  of  Madame  S.,  stout,  active,  and  well- 
made,  is  the  principal  servant  in  the  house.  The  theatre 
of  war  was  up  stairs.  The  girl,  being  below  and  hearing 
the  racket,  ran  up,  seized  one  of  the  combatants  round  the 
waist,  and,  before  he  could  extricate  himself,  carried  him 
down  and  placed  him  in  the  common  room  ;  then  went  about 
her  business  as  if  nothing  had  happened. 

9.  My  friend  the  old  soldier  came  at  eleven,  as  he  had 
promised.     He  began  by  complaining  of  what  an  amazing 
long  walk  he  had  had  to  Major  J.'s  (it  is  less  than  half  a 
mile),  how  tired  he  was,  and  how  he  sweated.     It  is  true  he 
did  sweat  and  blow  a  good  deal.    Then  told  me  he  had  come 
from  the  major,  who  had  no  letters  for  me.     Asked  me  to 
call  and  see  him,  to  which  I  assented ;  but,  recollecting  him- 
self, added,  "  Better  let  that  alone  till  I  call  again  to  see 
you." 

Have  not  been  out  of  my  room  the  whole  day,  except  to 
take  my  meals  with  the  family.  There  is  a  great  run  of 
people  coming  and  going,  principally  of  the  mariner  order ; 
an  order  by  whom  I  am  more  likely  to  be  recognised  than 
by  any  other.  The  door  never  opens  but  I  expect  to  hear 
the  comer  exclaim  out,  "  Col.  Burr !" 

10.  At  home,  as  yesterday.     The  old  soldier  did  not  visit 
me  to-day.     Whether  from  godliness,  or  negligence,  or  te- 
merity, or  perfidy,  time  will  show.     Mais  je  n'en  suis  pas 
trop  content.     Have  been  occupied  in  repacking  my  papers, 
in  filing  all  the  scattering  letters,  and  principally  in  gather- 
ing the  sheets  of  this  journal,  in  order  to  send  you  a  sample. 
Have  found,  for  it  is  really  a  discovery,  a  regular  continua- 
tion from  the  15th  March  to  this  day,  which  it  is  proposed 
to  send  you,  by  way  of  sample,  by  the  first  vessel  which  may 


OF    AARON    BURR.  409 

sail  from  this  port.  So  soon  as  a  sheet  is  finished,  it  is 
thrown  anywhere,  and  then  you  know  what  a  job  it  is  to  col- 
lect them. 

It  is  impossible  that  I  should  be  much  longer  in  this  situ- 
ation undiscovered.  My  strange  habits ;  my  seclusion ;  my 
reserve — for  I  make  no  familiarities,  lest,  among  a  race  so 
prone  to  curiosity,  some  one  should  suppose  he  had  the 
right  to  question  me.  I  observe  with  some  concern  that  I 
am  treated  with  a  sort  of  deference.  I  can  play  the  fool. 
No  one  can  do  it  better,  no  one  does  it  more.  But  I  could 
never  play  the  blockhead. 

1 1 .  Have  not  left  my  room  to-day.  La  vieux  soldat  n'a 
pas  veruc.  If  he  has  abandoned  me,  he  will  not  stop  there, 
but  will  undoubtedly  add  treachery. 

I  find  that  the  mail  goes  to  New-York  and  returns  in  five 
days.  Thus  answers  to  the  letters  I  wrote  on  Monday  last 
ought  to  have  been  received  on  Saturday.  But,  if  not  now 
in  the  hands  of  Major  J.,  something  has  happened  either  to 
my  letters  or  to  those  answers.  Mr.  F.'s  conduct  is  in  either 
case  unpardonable.  He  should  have  called  on  the  major  as 
he  promised,  and  should  have  informed  me  that  there  were 
or  were  not  letters. 

Looking  over  the  Directory  to-day,  I  see  the  name  of  Jon. 
Mason,  my  college-mate,  and  heretofore,  through  all  changes 
in  politics,  my  friend.  I  have  resolved  to  call  on  him  or 
write  to  him  to-morrow.  I  will  know  what  are  the  feelings 
of  my  old  acquaintance  in  this  quarter.  Have  been  all  day 
looking  over  my  papers,  and  selecting  a  few  that  may  be 
wanted. 

La  famille  have  hired  a  house  and  have  moved  to-day. 
Just  before  going,  madame  came  on  behalf  of  her  mari  to 
borrow  twenty  dollars,  and  offered  to  leave  with  me  in 
pledge  a  little  parcel  of  jewellery,  value  about  twenty  guineas. 
I  lent  her  sixteen  dollars,  but  refused  to  take  the  jewellery. 
Have  left  ten  dollars.  How  very  prudent !  But  don't  scold. 
I  am  sure  they  will  repay  it. 


410  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

12.  Nothing  done.  No  advances;  no  letters;  no  intelli- 
gence. Having  waited  till  five  P.  M.,  and  hearing  nothing 
from  the  old  soldier,  I  wrote  him  a  note,  and  sent  it  by  the 
eldest  son  of  the  house,  Edward,  the  sailor.  He  replied 
underneath  my  note  (very  common  mode  in  this  country, 
without  meaning  incivility)  that  he  had  called  on  Major  J., 
but  no  letters ;  and  that  he  (le  soldat)  would  call  on  me  to- 
morrow. But  what  does  he  mean  by  his  "dear  sir?" 

But  a  dreadful  inroad  has  been  made  on  the  treasury  to- 
day. Being  a  week  complete  since  I  came  here,  I  asked 
for  my  bill.  It  is  ten  dollars  and  a  half!  and  Capt.  Nicholls, 
who  recommended  me  here,  told  me  the  board  was  four  dol- 
lars per  week,  and  so  I  presume  it  is  for  him  and  others  of 
this  country.  But  there  is  no  parleying  where  no  bargain 
has  been  .made.  Again  I  sent  for  a  blacksmith  to  mend 
the  hasp  of  one  of  the  locks  broken  by  those  London  free- 
booters. The  repair  did  not  require  five  minutes ;  the 
charge  three  quarters  of  a  dollar.  Fortunately,  I  had  made 
a  small  advance  to  Mrs.  G.  on  first  coming,  so  that  I  had 
enough  and  two  dollars  over. 

13.  Another  day  of  seclusion.  No  letters,  no  intelligence, 
and  the  treasury  exhausted.  The  old  soldier  has  neither 
come  nor  sent.  By  way  of  exercise  this  evening,  walked 
to  Smith's  (PAnglois).  Found  the  family  settled  in  a  neat, 
comfortable  house.  The  neighbours  have  been  in  to  offer 
them  kindnesses,  at  which  these  English  are  mightily  pleased 
and  greatly  surprised.  Such  a  thing  could  not  have  hap- 
pened in  any  part  of  England.  Have  written,  but  have  not 
sent  my  letter  to  Jonathan  Mason.  J'y  pense.  Wrote 
another  note  to  the  old  soldier,  who  sent  a  verbal  answer 
that  he  would  call  to-morrow. 

14.  The  old  soldier  has  not  called.     No  letter.     Madame 

called  and  paid  the  sixteen  dollars.     "  Did  not  I  tell 

you  so?"  Have  found  in  the  Directory  the  name  of  Mrs. 
P.,  with  whom  we  lodged.  She  had,  as  you  may  recollect, 
a  son,  a  very  fine  lad  of  fifteen  or  sixteen,  to  whom  she  was 


OF   AARON   BURR.  411 

unable  to  give  any  education.  But  what  you  do  not  know 
is  that  I  furnished  some  little  aid  for  that  purpose.  This 
evening  I  called  to  see  her,  but  the  house  was  locked 
and  no  one  at  home.  Think  to  make  another  attempt  in 
the  morning.  After  losing  your  watch  in  Paris,  I  resolved 
to  buy  the  cheapest  possible  thing  that  would  serve  tolera- 
bly to  mark  time.  Bought  a  new  watch  for  thirty  francs, 
with  steel  chain.  In  twenty-four  hours  it  was  out  of  order, 
and,  putting  it  in  the  hands  of  a  watchmaker  at  Amsterdam 
to  repair,  he  condemned  it  as  utterly  worthless.  That  I 
brought  here,  and  yesterday  sent  Edward  to  ask  a  watchma- 
ker the  worth  of  it.  Edward  immediately  took  a  fancy  to 
buy  it  himself;  but  I  refused  to  sell  it  to  him,  knowing  it  to 
be  good  for  nothing.  He  went  out  to  get  it  priced,  and  told 
me  the  watchmaker  had  valued  it  at  three  dollars,  and  then 
again  proposed  to  buy  it  himself.  Finally  I  gave  it  to  him. 
I  then  sent  out  the  other  brother  with  the  silver  repeater  in- 
tended for  Harry,  to  get  that  priced.  He  came  back  with  a 
report  of  fifteen  dollars.  Now,  as  I  know  this  to  be  worth 
at  least  sixty  dollars,  it  is  obvious  that  the  same  game  has 
been  played  in  both  instances,  for  this  brother  also  wished 
to  become  a  purchaser. 

15.  The  old  soldier  has  not  been  near  me.  At  noon  sent 
Edward  with  another  note,  begging  a  written  answer.  He 
did  reply  in  writing  that  he  had  sent  his  dark  to  the  major's, 
and  would  inform  me  as  soon  as  he  came  back.  But  now, 
at  eleven  at  night,  have  heard  nothing  from  him.  Called 
about  eight  this  morning  at  Mrs.  P.'s.  Notwithstanding  my 
wig,  my  whiskers,  and  my  change  of  dress  ;  that  she  had 
not  seen  me  in  sixteen  years,  and  that  she  is  half  blind,  she 
instantly,  with  an  air  of  pleasure  and  surprise,  called  me  by 
name,  but  with  as  little  hesitation  as  if  I  had  been  in- 
vited and  expected.  She  called  down  her  son.  They 
two  are  the  whole  family,  having  no  servant.  He  is  a 
handsome  young  man,  and  of  good  countenance ;  is  re- 
spected and  esteemed  in  the  city ;  is  a  magistrate,  and  will 


412  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

probably  be  made  clerk  of  the  House  of  Assembly.  They 
both  expressed  very  great  joy  at  seeing  me,  and  great  de- 
sire to  be  useful  to  me.  I  charged  the  young  man  with  my 
letter  to  Mason.  At  eleven  young  P.  called  on  me.  He  had 
delivered  the  letter  to  Mason,  who  said  that  he  had  great 
respect  for  Col.  Burr,  and  bore  him  much  good-will ;  but, 
but,  that  his  position  was  very  delicate,  i  Nevertheless,  he 
would  think  of  it,  and  either  call  or  write  me  an  answer. 
Now  I  engage  he  will  do  neither  one  nor  the  other. 
When  a  man  takes  time  to  consider  whether  he  will  do  a 
good  or  a  civil  action,  be  assured  he  will  never  do  it.  The 
baser  feelings,  the  calculations  of  interest  and  timidity,  al- 
ways prevail. 

But  did  you  ever  hear  of  such  meanness  ?  This  very  J. 
Mason  was  at  Richmond  during  the  trial,  saw  all  the  vile 
persecutions  which  I  encountered,  and  spoke  of  them  with 
indignation  and  contempt ;  came  often  to  see  me,  and  openly 
avowed  a  friendship  for  me.  He  is  immensely  wealthy, 
and  not  a  candidate  for  any  office.  What  should  restrain 
such  a  man  from  expressing  his  feelings  ?  Timidity.  I 
suspect,  too,  that  he  has  said  something  to  alarm  young  P. 
For  he  (P.)  now  spoke  of  the  delicacy  of  his  situation, 
which,  with  regard  to  him,  is  perfectly  true,  being  quite 
without  fortune,  and  dependant  for  the  bread  of  himself  and 
mother  on  public  opinion.  But  as  to  Mason,  not  only  is 
his  position  such  as  I  have  mentioned,  but  we  were  college- 
mates,  and  on  terms  of  courtesy  and  friendship  at  all  times 
since  till  my  departure  for  Europe. 

I  got  P.  to  address  two  letters  for  me,  one  of  which,  to 
S.  S.,  I  took  myself  this  evening  to  the  postoffice.  My  for- 
mer letter  to  him  of  the  fourth  instant,  the  day  of  my  arrival, 
has  either  never  been  put  in  the  postoffice  (though  young 
P.  undertook  to  put  it  in),  or  rather  that  letter,  or  the  reply 
of  S.  to  it,  must  have  been  purloined  from  the  postoffice  at 
New-York ;  for  no  doubt  S.  has  replied  punctually,  and  his 
answer  ought  to  have  been  received  on  the  9th  instant. 


OF    AARON    BURR.  413 

16.  At  six  P.  M.  no  one  has  been  near  me.     Have  kept 
my  room  all  day,  having  a  slight  headache.     I  have  given  up 
all  hope  of  a  letter  from  New- York  before  Wednesday  next. 
If  by  that  day  nothing,  nor  any  change,  shall  sell  Harry's 
watch  for  what  it  will  fetch,  and  then — and  then — well,  &c. 

Eleven  P.  M.  Just  as  I  had  written  this,  young  P.  came 
in  and  sat  with  me  the  whole  evening  till  ten.  He  is  a  sen- 
sible, well-informed,  and  well-behaved  young  man,  and  in 
person  very  handsome.  He  showed  me  a  letter  addressed 
to  him  by  Mason,  saying  that  the  state  of  prejudice  was 
such  that  he  must  decline  to  see  me  alone,  but  wished  very 
much  to  "  befriend"  me,  &c.,  &c.  Truly  there  seems  to  be 
as  little  independence  of  spirit  or  conduct  here  as  in  France. 
P.  brought  for  my  amusement  an  oration  which  he  deliv- 
ered before,  at  the  request  of,  a  charitable  institution  in  this 
city.  Also,  "  Alexis  the  Czarowitz,  a  tragedy,  written  by 
Alexis  Eustaphieve,  Russian  Consul  in  Boston,"  a  Russian 
by  birth,  and  who  spoke  not  a  word  of  English  till  about 
seven  years  ago.  It  is  in  English  blank  verse;  with  some 
newspapers  and  other  things. 

17.  Have  kept  my  room  all  day.  pretending  indisposition. 
There  are  so  many  comers  and  goers  in  this  house,  that  I 
never  go  into  the  common  room  without  apprehension.     P. 
came  in  just  after  breakfast,  and  sat  two  hours.     Soon  after 
came  in  the  soldat,  but  so  dressed  and  smoothed  up  that  he 
looked  ten  years  younger.     He  apologized  for  not  calling 
sooner,  having  had  company  every  day,  which  is  probably 
true,  for  they  say  he  is  very  hospitable.     He  had  called  often 
at  Major  J.'s,  but  no  letters.     He  had  also  called  at  the  post- 
office  ;  no  letters  there  for  the  major.     So  the  hope  of  any 
is  now  gone.     Certainly  my  letter  of  the  fourth  has  never 
reached  S.  S. ;  but  what  may  have  become  of  it  leaves  a 
large  field  for  conjecture.     The  second  letter  to  S.  S.  I  put 
into  the  postoffice  myself,  as  I  ought  to  have  done  with  the 
first,  but  answer  cannot  be  had  to  it  till  Thursday;  not 
Wednesday,  as  I  supposed.      Have  read  the  tragedy  of 


414  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

"  Alexis"  with  great  pleasure,  and  never  should  have  sus- 
pected that  it  was  written  by  a  foreigner.  P.'s  oration  does 
him  credit.  Have  this  evening  written  another  letter  to 
Mr.  Mason,  offering  to  sell  him  my  books  ;  must  think  how 
to  send  it. 

18.  Indisposed  as  yesterday,  and  have  not  been  out  of  my 
room.  The  good  lady  brings  me  my  meals.  P.  has  not 
been  here.  Shall  charge  him  with  my  letter  to  Mr.  Mason. 
S.,  my  co-passenger,  called  to  borrow  ten  dollars,  which  I 
lent,  and  have  just  three  left,  having  paid  the  goldsmith 
five,  and  owe  him,  I  fear,  five  more  for  work.  To-morrow, 
alas  !  is  pay-day  to  Mrs.  G.,  and  my  bill,  including  washing, 
will  be  about  eleven  dollars.  So  you  see  I  am  again  on  the 
sans  sous  establishment.  You  will  think  this  loan  to  S.  a 
great  folly,  and  so  it  is  ;  but,  when  I  tell  you  all,  you  may 
think  it  venial.  Poor  Harry's  repeater  must  go  to-morrow, 
and,  I  fear,  for  thirty-five  dollars,  though  it  cost  near  fifty  ; 
then  I  shall  be  wholly  rid  of  all  plague  of  watches. 

The  old  soldier,  when  here  yesterday,  proposed  to  take 
me  in  his  carriage  to  Cambridge,  and  introduce  me  to  the 
president  of  the  college,  his  particular  friend.  "  You  may," 
says  the  old  soldier,  "rely  on  his  honour  and  discretion." 
Verily,  I  think  to  accept  the  offer ;  but  it  surprised  me  not 
a  little.  Such  an  overture  from  V.  S. ! 

19.  I  received  a  letter ;  yes,  a  letter  from  S.  S.,  con- 
taining a  pretty  full  answer  to  my  queries,  with  assurance 
that  I  have  very  many  and  warm  friends  and  no  enemies. 
The  letter  is  stamped  with  that  enthusiasm  which  marks 
his  character.  As  regards  business,  however,  things  are 
not  propitious.  The  two  creditors  who  have  judgments 
against  me  are  inexorable.  Nothing  will  satisfy  them  but 
money  or  approved  security,  neither  of  which  are  in  my 
power.  The  alternative  is  to  be  taken  on  execution  and 
go  to  the  limits.  To  this  I  should  have  no  great  repug- 
nance in  point  of  pride  or  feeling,  but  there  are  two  ob- 
jections pretty  cogent ;  first  and  principally,  you.  I  fear 


OF    AARON    BURR.  415 

your  little  heart  would  sink  to  hear  that  Gamp,  was  on  the 
limits.  To  be  sure,  if  you  could  come  there  and  see  how 
gay  he  was,  be  supported  by  the  light  of  his  countenance, 
and  catch  inspiration  from  his  lips,  you  would  forget  that  he 
was  not  in  paradise.  The  second  is,  that  I  have  a  project 
of  entering  into  the  holy  state  of  matrimony.  The  charming 
object  is  already  designated,  and  love,  almighty  love  !  The 
fair  object  is  a  worthy  lady  some  few  years  older  than  my- 
self, with  fortune  enough,  and,  I  think,  good-nature  enough 
to  make  that  appropriation  of  it.  Now  this  fine  sentimental 
proj-ect  would  be  utterly  defeated  by  the  limits-establishment. 
I  shall  write  this  evening,  and  make  farther  propositions. 

The  old  soldier  called  this  morning  and  brought  me  that 
letter.  In  the  evening  called  young  P.,  and  I  charged  him 
with  my  letter  to  Mason ;  on  the  success  of  which  I  do  not, 
however,  much  rely. 

20.  Have  not  gone  out ;  take  all  my  meals  in  my  room  ; 
eat  no  meat,  and  very  little  of  anything,  being,  as  you  know, 
greatly  indisposed ;  but,  to  tell  you  the  truth,  I  am  hungry 
as  a  wolf,  and  could  now  eat  a  pound  of  beefsteak.  We 
have  a  new  lodger,  Mr.  Horton,  merchant,  of  Newburyport, 
who  has  been  a  good  deal  about  the  world.  I  had  not  seen 
him  for  good  reasons  ;  but  last  evening  the  landlady  pressed 
me  so  much  to  go  down  and  smoke  a  segar  with  him,  that  I 
could  not  get  off.  Went  down  with  some  apprehension,  but 
all  is  well. 

Young  P.  called  this  evening,  and  copied  and  addressed 
my  letter  to  S.  S.,  which  is  not  in  my  own  name.  P.  had 
not  yet  seen  Mason,  who  lives  a  little  out  of  town,  and  may 
not  come  in,  perhaps,  during  the  continuance  of  this  N.E. 
storm,  and  I  may  be  starved  or  turned  out  of  doors  before 
it  is  over.  Gave  Mrs.  G.  my  three  dollars,  to  prevent  her 
from  rendering  her  account  due  yesterday.  Have  left  one 
five-cent  piece.  Hope  Smith  will  pay  me  to-day ;  but  even 
then  I  shall  be  three  dollars  minus,  for  the  goldsmith's  bill  is 
six  dollars.  Have  sent  out  Harry's  watch,  but  can  get  no 


416  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

offer  above  thirty-three  dollars,  though  it  cost  me  near  fifty, 
and  is  here  worth  one  hundred. 

Stole  out  this  evening,  and  put  my  letter  to  S.  S.  in  the 
postoffice. 

21.  Still  a  storm  at  N.E.     Young  P.  has  not  been  here  yet 
(five  P.  M.),  but  will  certainly  call ;  but  the  weather  permits 
no  hope  that  he  has  seen  Mason.     Smith  called  and  paid  the 
ten  dollars.     The  watch  not  disposed  of.     Have  dined  be- 
low  to-day,  concluding  that  the  weather  would  keep  off 
visiters. 

Have  ruminated  beaucoup  on  that  limit  arrangement.  It 
has  even  its  advantages.  I  should  be  then  more  at  ease ; 
should  have  nothing  to  apprehend ;  could  pay  my  debts  in 
the  order  I  pleased;  could  live  better;  be  exempt  from  the 
trouble  of  paying  visits.  On  the  other  hand,  there  are  the 
weighty  objections  before  stated.  I  am  sure  your  pride 
would  suffer  to  have  Gamp,  in  jail  for  debt,  for  it  would  be 
called  being  in  jail.  You  have  already  suffered  too  much 
on  my  account,  and  I  come  now  to  sacrifice  myself  for  you 
in  any  way  and  every  way  ;  that  of  marriage  is  one,  and  no 
hope  of  that  while  a  prisoner ;  and  as  to  the  payment  of  my 
debts,  if  I  am  confined  to  the  mere  practice  of  the  law,  de 
oarred  from  all  those  speculations  in  which  I  might  engage 
if  at  large,  it  will  be  the  work  of  many  years,  and  in  all  that 
time  I  could  do  you  little  or  no  good. 

Eleven  P.  M.  P.  has  not  been  here.  No  letters  or  intelli- 
gence. The  storm  continues,  which  has  undoubtedly  kept 
Mason  from  coming  to  town. 

22.  P.  called  this  morning.     He  had  seen  a  son  of  Mason 
and  had  given  him  the  letter.     I  may  or  may  not  hear  to- 
morrow.    Paid  my  goldsmith  six  dollars.     Sold  Mad.  G.  a 
pair  of  pantaloons  for  her  son,  three  dollars  and  thirty-three 
cents  ;  so  that  my  remaining  four  will  about  pay  her  to 
Tuesday  last. 

Find  there  are  here  several  siiall  vessels  up  for  New- 
York.  Think  to  take  my  chance  h  one  of  them ;  but  will 


OF    AARON    BURR.  417 

wait  till  Sunday  next  for  an  answer  to  my  last  two  letters  to 
S.  S.  A  clear  day.  Many  visitors,  but  have  avoided  them 
all,  though  I  breakfasted  and  dined  with  the  family.  Kept 
awake  all  last  night  by  strong  tea.  Have  not  slept  a  wink. 
Refused  tea  this  evening,  and  have  supped  on  milk-porridge. 
Went  twice  to-day  to  my  goldsmith's,  being  only  the  adjoin- 
ing yard ;  but  it  has  the  appearance  of  going  abroad,  and  so 
will  banish  suspicion.  To-morrow  il  faut  faire  le  malade. 

22.  My  milk-porridge  brought  on  a  headache,  which, 
without  any  affectation,  kept  me  abed  till  three  this  after- 
noon. Have  taken  a  bowl  of  tea  this  evening,  but  not  eaten 
a  mouthful.  Mr.  P.  has  not  been  here,  though  he  promised. 
Without  promise  or  without  asking,  he  ought  to  have  called. 
I  infer  that  he  has  no  answer  from  Mason.  Got  Smith  to 
try  to  sell  the  watch  yesterday.  He  brought  it  back  this 
morning,  having  had  no  offer  of  more  than  eighteen  dollars. 
I  begin  to  fear  that  I  shall  not  now  get  thirty  for  it. 

It  is  now  the  tenth  day  since  my  second  letter  to  S.  S., 
but  no  answer.  No  doubt  there  is  foul  play. 

The  legislature  of  this  state  meet  on  Wednesday  next.  It 
consists  of  eight  hundred  members,  and  I  think  a  few  more. 
This  mob  will  so  fill  the  town  with  persons  from  all  quar- 
ters, that  I  must  leave  it  before  that  day.  But  where  to  go, 
or  how  (sans  sous),  is  not  so  easy  to  resolve  or  to  execute. 

24.  My  headache  has  passed  off;  but  I  have  taken  my 
breakfast  in  my  room,  and  declined  taking  any  dinner,  mais 
pour  te  disc  le  vrai,  j'ai  du  faim  comme  un  ours. 

Mr.  P.  called  this  forenoon.  He  had  received  a  letter 
from  Mason,  begging  that  he  (P.)  would  inform  "  the  gentle- 
man" that  he  (Mason)  had  withdrawn  from  commerce,  and 
that  it  was  not  convenient  to  him  "  to  make  advances." 
Now,  then,  poor  Harry's  watch  is  my  only  resource.  Have 
written  to  le  veuve  soldat  to  call  on  me,  and  shall  try  to  get 
him  to  buy  or  sell  it. 

There  has  already  come  in  one  member  of  assembly  to 
lodge  here,  and  eleven  more  are  expected  to-morrow  and 


418  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

next  day.  I  must  therefore  be  out  to-morrow,  and,  if  money 
cannot  be  had  to  pay,  must  leave  my  effects  in  pledge. 

There  are  two  little  (very  small)  sloops  going  to  New- 
York  on  Wednesday  next.  Not  one  for  Charleston.  Think 
to  take  passage  in  one  of  those  sloops.  Price  twenty  dol- 
lars, and  found.  But  it  is  embarrassing  to  go  thither  before 
receiving  farther  information.  There  seems,  however,  to  be 
no  alternative.  Were  there  a  vessel  for  South  Carolina,  I 
should,  under  all  circumstances,  prefer  it.  But  go  I  must 
somewhere.  When  I  have  mange'd  the  watch,  I  am  here 
fixed.  The  preceding  page  was  just  finished,  when  it  was 
announced  that  a  stranger  inquired  for  Mr.  Arnot.  He  was 
shown  up,  and  proved  to  be  the  clerk  of  the  old  soldier,  with 
a  packet  of  letters  for  me.  Among  them,  one  from  you  was 
kissed  and  hailed  with  joy.  Nor  was  I  disappointed  on 
reading  it.  The  dignity  and  firmness  which  I  had  hoped 
to  find,  but  which,  in  your  weak  state,  I  had  scarcely  dared 
to  expect,  are  displayed  throughout.  What  will  please  you 
to  hear  is,  that  it  is  in  answer  to  things  written  you  in  this 
journal  during  the  last  week.  Most  particularly  I  had  asked, 
with  great  solicitude,  whether  you  could  endure  to  hear  that 
I  was  within  the  limits.  You  could  not  only  bear,  but  you 
advise  it.  This  terminates  my  indecision.  On  Wednesday 
I  embark  in  one  of  those  little  sloops  for  New- York,  and 
shall  there  take  my  stand,  constantly  consoled  and  supported 
by  your  affection  and  your  counsel.  The  letter  is  dated 
10th  May,  1811.  How  many  events  may  have  happened  to 
you  within  that  long  year.  Your  good  health  may  have 
again  yielded  to  that  destructive  climate.  But  I  will  not  an- 
ticipate evil. 

The  same  packet  contains  a  short  letter  from  S.  S.,  ur- 
ging me  to  come  on  immediately.  Now  for  financing.  That 
forlorn  watch  and  some  neckcloths  are  all  that  I  can  find 
which  are  saleable,  and  they  will  barely  suffice. 

25.  "  I  can't  get  out."  Mrs.  G.  asked  me  this  morning 
for  five  dollars,  which  having  not,  nor  any  part  of  it,  senr 


OF    AARON    BURR.  419 

to  the  goldsmith  for  change  of  the  ten  dollar  bill  I  had  given 
him  to  take  out  his  six ;  but  he  had  supposed  that  I,  meaning 
to  pay  magnifiquement,  had  given  him  the  whole  ten ;  and 
it  was  not  till  after  a  very  unpleasant  scene  that  I  could  get 
back  three,  which  appeased  Mrs.  G.  for  the  day.  It  is  not 
possible  to  leave  the  house  till  she  is  paid.  Nothing  has 
been  done  to-day  on  this  head.  Le  V.  Soldat,  to  whom  I 
wrote  yesterday,  and  whom  it  was  intended  to  employ  to 
sell  the  watch,  has  not  called. 

The  two  sloops  which  are  up  for  New- York  have  neither 
of  them  the  third  part  of  a  cargo  yet  engaged,  and  will  not 
go  till  they  have  full  freight,  which  may  not  be  these  eight 
or  ten  days. 

Three  more  lodgers,  members  of  assembly,  have  come  to- 
day, and  now  the  good  lady  says  she  expects  fifteen  in  all. 
The  whole  will  probably  be  in  to-morrow,  as  the  legislature 
convenes  next  day. 

P.  has  not  called  to-day.  It  is  presumed  that  he  is  can- 
vassing for  his  election,  which  comes  on  the  day  after  to- 
morrow. I  have  written  another  note  to  the  old  soldier,  to 
be  sent  early  in  the  morning. 

26.  For  several  days  past  I  have  slept  only  from  four  in 
the  morning  till  nine,  and  cannot  get  rid  of  the  habit;  nor  is 
it  material,  for,  being  very  ill,  as  you  know,  it  is  quite  in  or- 
der that  I  should  lie  late  in  the  morning.  Le  V.  Soldat 
came  to-day  at  eleven,  and  very  cheerfully  went  out  to  try 
the  watch.  Though  the  watchmakers  told  him  that  it  would 
be  cheap  at  forty  dollars,  yet  no  one  offered  more  than  twen- 
ty-five. He  himself  then  offered  to  lend  me  twenty-five  dol- 
lars upon  it,  repayable  in  three  months.  But  this  would  not 
get  me  off.  Le  V.  Soldat  then  renewed  his  invitation  to  go 
with  him  to  see  Dr.  Kirkland.  "  The  doctor  (says  he)  knows 
— who  you  are — but  I  have — only  told  him  and — my  wife — 
and  my  sister — but — it's  all  very  safe— there's  no  fear  at  all 
— of  their  mentioning  it."  I  thanked  the  V.  S.  for  his  great 
discretion,  and  also  agreed  to  go  with  him  to  visit  the  doctor 


420  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

this  afternoon.  You  should  imagine  to  yourself  a  very  fat 
man,  drawing  breath  at  every  three  words.  Such  is  the  old 
soldier,  which  it  would  have  been  more  en  regie  to  have  told 
you  before.  Hence  you  see  that  my  secret  is  in  the  keep- 
ing of  eight  persons  known,  probably  of  eighty  more  not 
known  ;  and  it  will  be  almost  miraculous  if  it  should  not  ap- 
pear in  some  gazette  within  three  days.  Madame  G.  came 
in  to  inquire  of  my  health,  and  told  me  incidentally  that  there 
had  been  in  the  house  these  two  days  past,  as  lodgers,  Par- 
son Cooper,  and  a  lawyer  whose  name  she  did  not  know, 
both  from  New-York.  To  the  priest  I  am  well  known,  but 
think  he  has  not  yet  seen  me  here.  The  sloops  bound  to 
New-York  (it  is  now  said)  will  positively  sail  on  Friday, 
having,  as  is  alleged,  their  cargoes  engaged. 

Eleven  P.  M.  Le  V.  S.  came  at  four  this  afternoon  in 
his  carriage,  with  his  wife,  and  a  Miss  Gowin,  a  stranger  on 
a  visit  to  his  family,  and  we  rode  out  to  Cambridge  to  see 
Dr.  Kirkland.  It  happened  that  the  doctor  was  in  town,  so 
we  stayed  an  hour  walking  over  the  house.  The  housekeep- 
er offered  us  refreshments,  of  which  I  partook.  Seeing,  on 
coming  in,  two  comely  young  women,  I  asked  the  old  soldier 
how  many  there  were  in  the  house.  "  Why,  in  or* nary — 
the  doctor  keeps — only  two  girls — but  then — he  takes  oth- 
ers— occasionally"  I  thought  this  very  extravagant  for  a 
New-England  priest,  and  the  ladies  seemed  to  think  so  too, 
but  the  old  soldier  thought  nothing  about  it.  Dr.  K.  is  a 
bachelor,  said  to  be  a  very  handsome  man  of  about  forty. 
His  house  is  spacious,  convenient,  comfortably  and  well  fur- 
nished, and  extremely  neat.  He  has  certainly  shown  taste 
and  judgment  in  the  choice  of  his  female  attendants.  We 
passed  an  hour  at  the  doctor's,  then  rode  a  mile  or  two  far- 
ther on,  and  returned  to  town  by  way  of  the  bridge.  I  alight- 
ed with  the  V.  S.  family  at  his  house,  not  choosing,  by  go- 
ing home,  to  hazard  a  rencounter  with  the  New- York  parson 
and  lawyer  in  broad  daylight.  Stayed  at  V.  S.'s  till  half 
past  eight.  Besides  the  two  ladies  who  rode,  there  were 


OF    AARON    BURR.  421 

two  others.  Home  at  nine.  No  letters  or  news  to-day. 
The  New-York  priest  and  lawyer  went  off  this  evening.  I 
must  be  very  sick  to-morrow  and  next  day,  but  have  not  yet 
determined  what  disorder  I  will  have.  For  the  three  days 
past  it  has  been  a  dysentery  (very  strange  selection).  The 
headache  did  very  well  for  two  or  three  days  preceding,  and 
I  think  to  come  back  to  it  to-morrow.  Le  V.  S.  has  prom- 
ised to  call  on  me  to-morrow  morning  to  concert  about  ways 
and  means.  It  sems  that  the  good  Mrs.  G.  is  in  debt  to  him, 
a  debt  which  he  thinks  desperate,  and  he  has  proposed  to 
assume  my  bill,  and  thus  shift  the  debt  from  her  to  me  ;  but 
his  mind  does  not  seem  quite  settled  whether  this  may  not 
be  making  bad  worse. 

27.  This  is  a  great  holyday — election  day — that  is,  the 
day  on  which  the  election  of  governor  is  declared.     Poor 
Gerry  is  out  and  Strong  comes  in.     The  governor  is  escorted 
into  town  with  military  attendance  and  great  pomp.     But 
what  I  can't  understand,  and  which  no  one  I  converse  with 
can  explain,  is,  that  it  is  the  old  governor,  Gerry,  who  has 
to-day  this  honour.     I  have  not  been  out  of  my  room,  being, 
as  was  yesterday  resolved,  very  ill  of  a  headache.     Ate  no 
dinner.     A  man  must  be  very  ill,  you  know,  who  does  not 
eat.     But,  entre  nous,  I  secured  last  night  about  a  pound  of 
bread,  which  I  have  devoured,  and  my  drink  is  toast  and 
water.     I  shall  soon  be  pure  as  an  angel. 

Le  V.  S.  has  not  been  here,  though  I  told  him  how  press- 
ing the  case  was.  But  he  has  no  idea  that  anything  in  this 
world  can  be  in  a  hurry.  He  never  was  in  a  hurry  in  all 
his  life.  P.  has  not  called  either  yesterday  or  to-day.  He 
is  appointed  clerk  to  the  House  of  Assembly ;  very  impor- 
tant to  him.  We  have,  as  yet,  only  eight  lodgers.  The  sloops 
are  locked  up  all  day,  and  all  hards  gone  to  see  the  show. 
So  nothing  new  of  them  ;  neither  is  there  of  any  of  the  other 
essentials. 

28.  At  eleven  le  V.  Soldat  came  in,  but  not  in  a  hurry. 
Dr.  Kirkland  was  at  his  house,  and  V.  S.  had  told  him  of  my 


422  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

books  and  of  the  state  of  my  finances.  One  ought  never  to 
quarrel  with  good  intentions.  The  doctor  said  he  would  take 
Bayle  and  Moreri  for  the  college.  They  were  immediately 
sent  to  V.  S.'s  house.  At  one  I  went  out  to  hunt  a  passage. 
Found  the  sloop  Rose,  apparently  ready,  and  the  captain 
declaring  he  would  go  to-morrow.  It  was  just  the  hour 
when  all  the  world  was  in  the  street  and  gaping.  At  six 
P.  M.  received  a  note  from  V.  S.,  requesting  me  to  call  at 
half  past  eight  at  his  house,  to  meet  the  doctor,  who  wished 
greatly  to  see  me.  Went  accordingly,  and  sat  an  hour  tete-a 
tele  with  the  doctor.  He  has  much  the  appearance  of  kind- 
ness and  good  sense.  As  much  frankness  as  is  consistent 
(compatible  it  should  be)  with  his  profession  and  his  scene 
of  action.  Less  warmth  than  I  expected.  He  paid  me 
forty  dollars,  and  left  it  at  my  election  to  take  back  the 
books  and  repay  the  money  when  I  should  please.  Home 
at  half  past  ten,  and  took  my  usual  supper.  Soupaan. 

29.  Have  embarked  all  my  effects.  It  has  cost  me  four 
trips  through  State-street,  and  the  whole  length  of  the  long 
wharf  in  open  day,  amid  thousands  of  idlers.  The  captain 
says  he  will  go  down  with  the  ebb  at  twelve  this  night. 
Adieu,  Boston.  Pollard  has  not  called  since,  I  believe, 
Sunday  last.  Le  V.  S.  called  about  noon,  and  begged  me 
to  take  tea  with  him  en  famille.  Called  at  eight,  and  passed 
half  an  hour  with  him  and  ux.  Very  kind  and  civil,  and 
very  earnestly  begged  me  to  write  to  them  from  New- York. 
It  is  now  eleven.  Am  just  going  to  eat  my  soupaan,  close 
my  writing-case,  and  be  off.  The  sloop  Rose  is  a  leetle 
teenty  thing  of  about  thirty  or  forty  tons.  Three  female 
passengers  occupy  the  after  cabin.  But  of  this  when  aboard. 
The  soupaan  is  growing  cold.  Bon  soir. 

On  board  the  sloop  Rose,  Capt.  Dimon,  off  Boston  Har- 
bor, May  30,  1812.  At  twelve  last  night  I  came  on  board, 
but  the  tide  would  not  serve  till  one.  I  agreed  to  keep 
watch  till  that  hour,  and  then  wake  the  captain.  The  sloop 
lay  at  the  end  of  the  long  wharf,  and  I  passed  the  hour  walk- 


OF    AARON    BURR.  423 

ing  on  the  wharf  or  sitting  on  the  timber,  ruminating  on 
things  to  come,  and  talking  with  you  and  Gam'lo.  It  was 
a  beautiful,  clear,  mild  moonlight  night.  A  light  breeze  at 
N.,  just  what  we  wanted,  sprang  up.  At  one  we  made  sail. 
At  two  I  turned  in  and  slept  till  seven,  and  now,  midi.,  we 
are  about  fifteen  miles  east  of  Boston  lighthouse,  with  a 
gentle  breeze  at  south,  which  enables  us  to  lay  our  course.  A 
smooth  sea  and  clear  sky.  When  I  rose  this  morning  there 
was  fog,  and  to  the  west  a  bright  colourless  arc  en  ciel,  but 
very  distinct,  and  even  strongly  marked.  The  sailors  call 
this  a  fog-calm. 

The  passengers  are,  first,  the  captain's  wife  ;  a  handsome, 
very  handsome  woman.  A  Mrs.  Hall,  wife  of  a  physician, 
and  her  daughter,  about  thirteen  years  of  age  ;  all  of  Fair- 
field,  the  birthplace  of  my  father,  and  I  doubt  not  that  the 
captain  and  his  wife  are  both  my  cousins.  Previous  to  and 
at  the  commencement  of  the  war,  I  resided  some  time  in 
Fairfield  with  a  cousin  of  my  father,  and  of  my  name.  I 
think  I  then  saw  this  Mrs.  Hall. 

Eleven  P.  M.  The  day  has  been  mild  and  clear  ;  a  light 
breeze  from  S.E.,  rather  ahead.  We  have  had  the  coast  on 
our  right  within  about  ten  miles  all  day.  At  seven  this 
evening  were  off  Cape  Cod  lighthouse.  Then  came  on  a 
fog,  which  is  the  curse  and  torment  of  this  coast.  It  contin- 
ues so  thick  that  a  lighthouse  at  one  hundred  yards  would 
not  be  discernible.  The  wind  light  at  S.E. 

Our  captain,  who  is  about  twenty-five  years  of  age,  is  the 
son  of  my  most  intimate  friend.  But  whether  the  father  is 
dead  or  living,  I  have  not  dared  to  ask.  Mrs.  H.  is  the  sis- 
ter of  a  priest  named  Elliot,  a  man  of  sound  sense,  and 
much  esteemed.  He  came  to  establish  himself  at  Fairfield, 
with  his  two  sisters,  while  I  was  there.  We  were  much  at 
tached.  Mrs.  H.  is  the  youngest  of  these  two  sisters.  She 
would  be  greatly  astonished  were  I  to  recount  to  her  all  the 
little  anecdotes  I  know  of  herself  and  her  family.  But  I 
shall  refrain  from  it.  For  Mr.  D.,  I  have  not  yet  heard  his 
VOL.  II  27 


424  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

family  name.  Fortunately,  no  person  on  board  is  acquainted 
with  the  name  I  went  by  in  Boston.  I  shall  give  myself 
another.  I  now  baptize  myself,  and  introduce  you  to  Mr. 
De  Gamelli.  You  shall  know  to-morrow  or  next  day  all 
the  reasons  of  my  establishment  on  board  the  Rose.  The 
captain's  lady  bears  a  strong  resemblance  to  my  sister. 

On  board  the  Rose,  off  Mill  River,  Fairfield,  June  4, 1812. 
We  cast  anchor  at  this  place  yesterday  at  eleven  P.  M.  It 
was  on  this  morning  that  I  had  the  happiness  to  learn  the 
name  of  my  sister.  The  tattler,  in  relating  some  little  anec- 
dote (she  is  always  talking  when  she  is  not  sick,  and  then  she. 
asks  questions),  said  that  her  father's  name  was  Sherwood. 
He  is  a  poet  of  some  talent,  and  married  a  niece  of  my  father. 
The  captain's  wife  is  the  youngest  child  by  that  marriage. 
Was  I  not  in  the  right  ?  Formerly  I  was  often  at  my  fa- 
ther's house.  He  loved  me  much,  and  I  have  no  doubt  that 
his  nephew  is  named  after  Gamp.  Hereafter  we  shall  call 
her  cousin.  On  leaving  the  vessel,  she  invited  me  to  come 
and  pass  the  time  at  her  house  until  we  should  sail.  I  have 
promised  to  call  on  her  before  my  departure. 

To  stop  on  the  way  with  a  fair  wind  will  not  answer ; 
but,  in  stopping,  the  captain  promised  to  land  the  ladies  at 
four  o'clock  A.  M.  We  all  slept  until  the  sun  was  two  hours 
high.  Breakfasted,  and  at  eight  the  captain  went  with  the 
ladies  and  their  baggage.  We  are  at  anchor  about  three 
quarters  of  a  mile  from  the  shore.  Then  I  learned,  no,  it 
was  at  the  return  of  the  boat  from  shore  that  I  learned  that 
great  part  of  our  cargo,  including  the  whole  of  the  timber, 
with  which  our  decks  are  full,  was  to  be  landed  here.  The 
wind  is  still  at  north,  a  brisk  gale,  and,  so  long  as  it  blows 
from  that  quarter,  we  cannot  commence  the  landing  of  our 
timber.  We  must  therefore  wait  for  a  head  wind  before 
we  can  unload,  and  then  wait  for  a  fair  wind  before  we 
can  go. 

The  captain  is  owner  of  the  vessel ;  is  a  kind  of  mer- 
chant, and  has  a  pretty  enough  house,  to  be  seen  from  the 


OF    AARON    BURR.  425 

vessel.  I  would  say,  on  the  shore,  directly  off  against  where 
we  are  now  anchored.  The  village  of  Fairfield  is  two  and 
a  half  miles  from  this  landing-place ;  all  this  vicinity,  par- 
ticularly along  the  shore,  now  in  view.  I  have  been  urged 
to  accompany  my  cousin,  Thaddeus  Burr,  on  a  fishing  and 
shooting  excursion.  I  have  a  mind  to  go  lo-morrovv  morn- 
ing to  renew  my  former  acquaintance  with  all  the  inani- 
mate objects ;  but,  then,  the  hazard  of  recognition ;  that  is 
the  rub. 

P.  M.  The  boat  has  made  a  second  voyage  to  the  land- 
ing and  just  returned.  My  pretty  cousin  has  sent  me  a 
large  loaf  of  bread,  a  bottle  of  milk,  and  two  bottles  of  cider. 
Being  alone  in  the  cabin,  I  have  enjoyed  tranquillity.  No 
trouble  since  the  departure  of  the  captain  and  the  ladies. 
Now,  therefore,  let  me  perform  the  promise  made  some 
days  ago,  to  describe  to  you  my  position  aboard. 

I  never  make  a  move  on  the  most  trifling  voyage  without 
being  duped  and  plundered  ;  and,  when  it  is  past,  I  console 
myself  with  the  experience  I  have  gained,  and  the  full  as- 
surance that  it  is  the  very  last  time ;  and  this  has  gone  on 
in  pretty  much  the  same  way  near  forty  years.  And  now, 
at  this  day,  with  all  that  vast  store  of  experience,  I  verily 
believe  that  Gamp,  would  get  on  avec  moiris  d'embarras. 

I  sent  out  Edward,  eldest  son  of  my  hostess  in  Boston, 
to  hunt  me  a  passage,  and  bid  him  choose  a  young  man,  and 
one  that  did  not  reside  in  New-York,  for  a  captain.  As  to 
the  vessel,  I  was  not  difficult  to  please.  The  reason  for 
selecting  this  description  of  maitre  was  to  escape  recogni- 
tion. He  reported  to  me  this  captain,  and  I  first  saw  him, 
as  you  have  been  told  already,  on  Thursday  evening.  Came 
into  the  cabin  and  chose  my  berth,  but  first  inquired  wheth- 
er any  other  passengers,  letting  him  know  (very  silly)  that 
this  would  form  an  objection.  "None  for  certain.  Two 
ladies  talked  of  going."  Learning,  however,  that  these 
dames  were  not  of  New- York,  there  was  no  obstacle.  Left 
on  board  two  or  three  light  articles,  which  the  boy  and  I  had 


426  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

brought  in  our  hands.  Next  day,  at  noon,  he  was  actually 
hauling  down  to  the  end  of  the  wharf.  This  was  so  good 
an  evidence  of  his  determination  to  sail  forthwith,  that  I 
went  up,  got  a  cart,  arid  brought  down  all  my  lumber  save 
the  writing-case.  When  it  was  all  fairly  on  board  and  under 
hatches,  mons.  1«  maitre  informed  me  that  there  were  three 
dames ;  that  is  to  say,  his  wife  and  two  other  ladies,  and  he 
feared  they  would  require  the  whole  after  cabin,  which  has 
only  two  berths.  I  remonstrated,  and  he  promised  to  endeav- 
our to  arrange  it  with  the  ladies  so  that  I  could  have  one ; 
and,  if  not,  he  would  make  the  other  very  comfortable  for  me. 

On  coming  on  board  at  twelve  (midnight),  the  three  dames 
were  aboard  and  in  possession  of  the  after  cabin.  My  mat- 
tress was  spread  in  one  of  ihefour  berths  in  the  outer  cabin, 
which  is  just  six  feet  fore  and  aft,  and  the  breadth  of  the 
sloop,  but  from  this  space  must  be  deducted  the  staircase ; 
the  cupboard  or  pantry  containing  our  table-furniture,  cold 
victuals,  and  also  our  beef  and  pork  barrels,  and  all  the  pro- 
visions laid  in  for  the  voyage ;  also,  a  large  Franklin  stove, 
two  large  seamen's  chests,  and  various  smaller  boxes,  &c. 

When  I  approached  this  den,  I  was  smitten  with  an  efflu 
via  so  nauseous  that  I  feared  to  suffocate  merely  by  going 
in  to  look.  I  ventured  down,  and  here  were  stowed  seven 
other  passengers,  viz.,  the  old  pilot  and  another  to  be  landed 
at  Martha's  Vineyard;  one  for  New-York,  who  worked  his 
passage  ;  and  four  young  Irish  emigrants,  who  were  received 
as  steerage  passengers,  and  found  and  cooked  their  own 
provisions.  The  mate  also  slept  here — voilk  nine.  I  saw 
the  impossibility  of  my  existing  here.  But  there  was  no  re- 
ceding. My  baggage  could  not,  at  that  hour,  be  got  out. 
To  complain  was  useless,  to  separate  from  my  baggage 
impracticable,  as  all  the  trunks  save  one  were  unlocked. 
Le  maitre  saw  my  disgust  and  disappointment,  and,  to  en- 
courage me,  said  he  would,  on  the  next  day,  make  berths  in 
the  hold  for  the  seven  steerage  passengers,  so  that  there 
would  be  left  only  le  second  and  moi. 


OF    AARON    BURR.  427 

After  my  hour's  walk,  and  when  the  sloop  had  cast  off,  I 
entered  my  den  and  climbed  into  mv  berth ;  but  found  it  so 
impossible  to  breathe,  that  in  one  minute  I  crawled  out,  and 
went  on  deck  to  get  breath,  and  to  search  for  some  place  on 
deck  ;  but  she  was  so  filled  with  the  timber  that  there  was 
not  a  vacant  spare  foot.  The  longboat  was  bottom  upward, 
and  lashed  down  so  that  I  could  not  get  under.  I  was 
weary,  having  ran  about  and  worked  all  day,  and  it  was  now 
past  one.  Resolved  to  make  another  trial  of  the  den. 
Crawled  in  again,  and  presently  concluded  that  I  should  not 
live  one  hour  in  that  air.  Just  as  I  had  resolved  to  go  and 
sit  all  night  on  the  timber,  I  got  asleep,  and  slept  like  an  in- 
fant, without  stirring,  about  six  hours.  Got  up  refreshed  and 
with  a  good  appetite  for  my  breakfast.  No  other  berth  has 
been  made  for  the  steerage  passengers,  and  we  have  lived  in 
the  same  way  (abating  two  left  at  Martha's  Vineyard)  till  the 
departure  des  dames  ce  matin,  and  now  I  am  sole  occupant 
of  the  after  cabin,  and  think  I  shall  retain  at  least  one  half  of 
it,  how  many  soever  may  come  in. 

These  tricks  of  our  master  will  not  give  you  a  very  cor- 
rect idea  of  him.  Add  to  this,  the  delays  at  Martha's  Vine- 
yard, &c.,  were  carefully  concealed,  as  I  have  before  stated 
to  you.  Nevertheless,  he  appears  possessed  of  no  kind  or 
tender  feelings — he  is  not  capable  of  them ;  but  a  kind  of 
forbearance  or  negative  indulgence,  of  a  common  cast,  for 
his  wife. 

Our  cousin  is  in  every  respect  a  peasant ;  and  in  her 
conversation  Yankeeish,  but  with  so  much  goodness,  and 
sweetness,  and  good  sense,  that  she  would  everywhere  be 
distinguee.  She  was  well-dressed  this  morning  preparatory 
to  disembarking.  Always  very  neat. 

And  now,  as  this  is  probably  the  last  leisure  we  may 
have  before  being  quietly  lodged  sur  les  limites,  let  us  say 
one  word  more  on  that  subject  before  it  be  too  late. 

Tn  two  points  you  seem  to  be  under  misapprehension.  1st, 
as  to  my  project  of  going  to  Charleston.  It  was  with  no 


428  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

view  of  concealment  or  disguise,  as  you  seem  to  suppose, 
and  why  I  know  not ;  but  with  the  determination  immedi- 
ately to  announce  myself  and  engage  in  the  practice  of  the 
law.  Another  project  for  making  money  could  be  attempted 
only  there.  2d,  as  to  the  limits  establishment  in  New- 
York,  you  seem  to  consider  it  as  temporary.  It  might  be, 
probably  would  be,  during  life.  Est  ce  que  tu  voudrais  ca. 
I  doubt  whether  you  would.  I  go,  however,  suivant  vos 
odres,  with  the  intent  to  encounter  this  ;  but  reserve  my  final 
determination  till  I  shall  be  on  the  spot,  and  have  all  the  facts 
before  me.  What  I  may  then  decide  will,  I  have  little 
doubt,  receive  your  approbation.  I  wish  to  be  a  few  days 
in  New- York  incognito. 

31.  This  morning,  when  the  fog  broke  away,  we  were  in 
sight  of  Cape  Cod  lighthouse,  bearing  N.W.  We  have  con- 
tinued under  weigh,  with  a  very  light  breeze  from  the  south, 
till  eight  this  evening,  when  the  excessive  thickness  of  the 
fog  obliged  us  to  cast  anchor  in  five  fathoms  water.  Our 
soundings  to-day  have  varied  from  seven  to  three  fathoms. 
The  shore  in  view,  when  clear,  and  about  three  or  four 
leagues  off.  Pass  within  half  a  mile  of  the  great  round 
shoal,  where  breakers. 

All  persons  who  are  here  spoken  of  are  known  to  me.  I 
trequently  hear  the  name  of  my  family  and  of  my  relatives 
alluded  to,  but  not  yet  my  own. 

June  1,  1812.  We  made  sail  at  four  this  morning,  with 
a  very  light  breeze  at  W. ;  passed  to  the  E.,  and  within  two 
leagues  of  the  Isle  of  Nantucket.  At  ten  A.  M.,  tide  com- 
ing ahead  and  a  dead  calm,  we  cast  anchor  in  two  fathoms 
water ;  yes,  two  fathoms.  The  ignorance  of  our  pilot  has 
placed  us  on  this  shoal ;  but,  during  a  calm,  there  is  no  dan- 
ger. There  are  always  from  twenty  to  thirty  small  vessels 
in  sight.  We  can  just  see  the  island  of  Martha's  Vineyard, 
distant  about  fifteen  miles.  It  is  proposed  to  stop  at  this 

island  to  land  our  passenger ;  and  also  at ,  to  put  on 

shore  our  three  ladies.  These  circumstances,  which  will 


OF    AARON    BURR.  429 

cause  a  delay  of  forty-eight  hours,  perhaps  more,  were  con- 
cealed from  me.  But  this  matters  but  lilile.  I  wish  no  in- 
tercourse with  them,  for  fear  of  betraying  myself;  yet  I 
burn  with  impatience  for  news  of  the  many  male  and  female 
friends  of  my  youth. 

This  foolish  little  hussy  of  thirteen,  whom  Frederic  calls 
"  sprung  up,"  amuses  herself  one  half  of  her  time  in  gazing 
at  me  in  the  most  impudent  manner.  She  has  just  got  into 
her  berth,  and  is  looking  at  me  with  "  all  her  eyes ;"  she 
is  perfectly  annoying ;  takes  the  first  place,  gives  the  tone 
to  conversation,  and  decides  all  questions  spitefully. 

At  ten  P.  M.  we  cast  anchor  in  Holmes's  Hole,  Martha's 
Vineyard,  and  here  we  shall  wait  for  a  wind. 

I  am  more  and  more  struck  with  the  resemblance  of 
Madame  la  Captaine  to  my  sister.  The  same  large  mouth, 
replete  with  goodness,  sweetness,  and  firmness;  the  same 
large,  aquiline  nose,  contour  of  face,  and  the  two  dimples ; 
and,  when  disturbed,  knits  the  brow  and  forehead  in  the 
same  singular  manner ;  the  form  of  the  eye  the  same ; 
very  long ;  the  colour  not  quite  so  dark.  There  is  only 
wanting  the  broad  forehead  of  ma  soeur  to  be  perfect. 

2.  We  made  sail  at  six  this  morning,  with  a  very  light 
breeze  at  east.  The  distance  between  the  Vineyard  and 
the  Elizabeth  Islands  does  not  appear  to  me  more  than  five 
or  six  miles,  though  stated  at  much  greater.  Passed  Gray 
Point  or  Gray  Bluff,  being  the  west  end  of  the  Vineyard, 
about  noon.  Both  these  islands  seem  little  cultivated.  Very 
destitute  of  timber ;  indeed,  are  said  to  be  rather  barren. 
The  day  is  very  mild ;  a  gentle  breeze  at  east  takes  us  on 
about  four  miles  per  hour. 

This  morning  we  have,  as  usual,  been  annoyed  by  fogs ; 
so  thick  that  land  could  not  be  seen  a  quarter  of  a  mile, 
which  renders  the  navigation  among  these  shoals  and  islands 
very  dangerous.  By  great  good  luck  we  had,  about  five 
this  P.  M.,  a  sight  of  the  west  end  of  Block  Island,  which 


430  PRIVATE   JOURNAL 

served  us  for  a  new  departure.     Towards  sunset,  thunder 
and  lightning,  succeeded  by  a  calm,  which  still  continues. 

The  captain's  wife  has  also  the  same  commanding  figure 
of  my  sister.  Many  of  her  attitudes  and  movements,  of 
which,  you  know,  every  human  being  has  something  pecu- 
liar. I  look  at  her  for  hours  together  with  an  inexpressible 
interest,  particularly  while  sleeping ;  but  I  speak  not,  for 
fear  of  betraying  myself.  She  must  be  a  relative  ;  but,  thus 
far,  I  have  not  learned  her  family  name.  I  dare  not  ques- 
tion any  one,  from  apprehension  of  being  questioned  in  return. 

3.  The  fog  cleared  off  towards  daylight,  and  we  made  sail 
with  the  wind  at  N.  At  seven,  in  the  Horse  Race,  between 
Fisher's  Island  and  Gull  Island,  the  tide  came  ahead,  and 
we  buffeted  with  great  perseverance  till  one  without  gain- 
ing a  foot.  Then  came  the  tide,  and  we  are  now,  six  P.  M., 
off  New-Haven.  We  have  tossed  a  great  deal,  and  had 
spray  constantly  dashing  over  the  deck,  so  that  one  cannot 

put  his  head  out  without  a  wetting.     My is  extreme 

ly  timid,  and  torments  everybody  with  silly  questions.  As 
for  my  sister,  she  fears  nothing;  is  not  sick  (although  the 
last  has  been  so) ;  always  calm.  Have  not  yet  learned  her 
family  name.  That  she  is  a  relative  there  can  be  no  doubt. 
Here  is  the  proof.  She  had  a  boy's  hat.  Mrs.  H.  asked 
for  whom  it  was.  She  replied,  "  For  Burr."  I  asked  her 
if  he  was  a  brother.  "  No,"  said  she,  "  my  nephew."  But 
the  mystery  of  her  family  name  is  not  yet  solved.  Certain 
ly  the  name  of  Burr  is  a  baptismal,  not  a  family  one.  For 
example,  Gampillo.  We  part  to-rnorrow.  If  there  is  no 
other  means,  I  am  resolved  frankly  to  ask  it  at  the  moment 
of  her  departure. 

June  5, 1812.  On  board  Rose,  off  Mitt  River.  The  wind 
fell  last  evening,  and  the  night  was  calm  and  perfectly  clear. 
Such  a  sky  as  I  never  saw  in  England  or  France.  I  passed 
some  hours  on  deck  admiring  the  brilliancy  of  the  stars,  fol- 
lowing their  majestic  march  through  infinite  space,  and 


OF    AARON    BURR.  431 

tracing  the  hand  of  Omnipotence.  Presumptuous  aim  !  Yet 
there  is  a  charm  in  such  contemplations  of  which  you  know 
all  the  luxury.  It  is  you  only  whose  society  I  could  endure 
on  such  occasions.  Yes,  my  dear  little  Gam'lo,  to  introduce 
to  his  opening  mind  the  wonders  of  nature  and  the  soul. 

The  captain  came  on  board  at  sunrise,  and  in  half  an 
hour  we  got  rid  of  our  timber.  The  wind  was  now  at  W., 
a  light  breeze,  and  directly  ahead ;  but,  as  the  tide  was  fa- 
vourable, I  supposed  we  should  make  sail.  No  such  thing. 
The  captain  would  go  on  shore,  and  invited  me  to  go  and 
take  breakfast  with  him,  which  I  did.  Gave  ma  cousine, 
by  way  of  souvenir,  a  little  ivory  nutmeg-grater ;  a  pretty 
little  thing,  in  form  of  a  vase.  She  received  it  with  more 
coldness  than  you  would  have  received  an  apple  from  a  ser- 
vant. This  "  giving"  is  a  very  unprofitable  business,  and  I 
have  twenty  times  determined  to  quit  it,  yet  am  perpetually 
<;  seduced  into  the  perpetration  of  it."  At  leaving  Boston  I 
gave  Tom  my  silver  pencil,  which  I  have  wanted  a  dozen 
times  since.  Notre  cousine  has  a  neat,  pretty  house,  with 
a  nice  garden  and  patch  of  grass.  The  house  extremely  well 
furnished.  After  breakfast  the  captain  rode  out  on  horse- 
back, and  I  strolled  three  or  four  hours  round  some  miles  in 
the  neighbourhood.  Every  object  was  as  familiar  to  me  as 
those  about  Richmond  Hill,  and  the  review  brought  up 
many  pleasant  and  whimsical  associations.  At  several  doors 
I  saw  the  very  lips  I  had  kissed  and  the  very  eyes  which 
had  ogled  me  in  the  persons  of  their  grandmothers  about 
six-and-thirty  years  ago.  I  did  not  venture  into  any  of  their 
houses,  lest  some  of  the  grandmothers  might  recollect  me. 
The  instance  of  Mrs.  P.,  at  Boston,  will  make  me  cautious 
of  old  ladies  whom  I  knew  when  they  were  younger. 

The  captain  returned  about  eleven,  and  appeared  exceed- 
ingly impatient  to  go  on  board ;  but  the  mate,  who  went  yes- 
terday to  see  his  family  a  few  miles  off,  had  not  come.  While 
I  was  sitting  in  the  house  with  the  family  reading  newspa- 
pers, a  stranger  came  in,  and  some  one  immediately  exclaim- 


432  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

ed,  "  Ah  !  Burr,  how  goes  it  ?"  I  looked  up  with  doubtful 
glance,  but  the  address  was  not  to  me.  The  person  who 
came  in  was  Wakeman  Burr  Dimon,  a  brother  of  the  cap- 
tain, and  commonly  called  Burr. 

The  mate  arrived  before  noon,  and  the  captain  became 
less  impatient  to  go.  He  thought  we  had  better  dine,  and 
we  dined.  Then  he  resolved  and  unresolved  at  least  half  a 
dozen  times.  Finally  he  would  go  immediately,  and  ordered 
the  men  into  the  boat ;  he  began  again  to  doubt ;  he  went 
up  to  the  house,  and  left  me  in  the  boat  near  half  an  hour. 
At  length  he  came  down,  and  actually  got  on  board,  with  his 
brother,  who  is  to  go  with  us  to  New-York.  When  we  got 
to  the  mouth  of  the  creek,  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  he  got 
out,  and  determined  that  it  was  not  worth  while  to  make  sail 
with  a  head  wind,  "jamming  about  and  about.'1''  He  invited 
me  to  go  back  with  him,  which  I  declined.  I  came  on  board, 
he  and  his  brother  remained.  About  eight  this  evening  he 
and  his  brother  came  on  board  ;  and  now,  at  midnight,  we 
are  still  at  anchor  in  the  same  place.  Our  Irishmen  are 
quite  in  a  state  of  mutiny  at  the  delay,  as  they  find  their  own 
provisions  and  are  losing  their  time.  Their  impatience  and 
very  odd  manner  of  expressing  it  diverts  me  a  good  deal. 

6.  Our  master  and  frere  came  on  board  at  eight  last  even- 
ing. The  tide  being  then  ahead  and  no  wind,  were  obliged 
to  wait  for  the  flood.  At  one  this  morning  weighed  anchor 
and  floated  about  sixteen  miles.  Cast  anchor  under  the 
Long  Island  shore  and  caught  clams,  of  which  made  an  ex- 
cellent dish.  At  two  weighed  anchor  and  floated  on,  and 
now,  at  eleven  P.  M.,  we  are  about  keeping  our  own,  with 
the  aid  of  now  and  then  an  air  scarcely  perceivable.  This 
sort  of  progress  has  defeated  all  my  plans,  which  were  to 
have  got  past  Frog's  Point,  where  the  tides  meet,  in  season 
to  have  there  taken  the  evening  ebb,  and  thus  get  to  town  in 
the  night ;  for  to  land  at  noonday  at  the  Coenties  Slip,  I 
might  as  well  announce  my  approach  beforehand  by  a  her- 
ald. The  day  has  been  very  warm  and  perfectly  calm. 


OF    AARON    BURR.  433 

7.  We  cast  anchor  at  two  this  morning,  having  made 
about  eight  miles  the  last  tide.  At  five  got  under  weigh. 
Still  perfectly  calm,  which  suits  me  very  well ;  for,  if  there 
should  spring  up  a  breeze,  we  should  arrive  about  four  or 
five  in  the  P.  M.,  but,  by  mere  floating,  we  cannot  get  to  town 
before  evening.  We  are  now  off  Frog's  Point,  and  here 
take  the  first  of  the  ebb.  After  passing  Hell  Gate,  I  think 
to  get  out  under  some  pretence  or  other,  and,  if  still  daylight, 
lay  down  under  some  tree  till  dark.  This  requires  some 
previous  arrangement,  to  set  about  which  I  quit  you.  To- 
morrow you  shall  know  how  I  get  through  this  dilemma. 

8.  Patience,  my  dear  children,  and  you  shall  hear  all. 
Bu-t  allow  me  to  go  on  pas  a  pas.  We  were,  I  think,  on 
the  last  sheet  at  Frog's  Point  about  noon.  The  ebb  carried 
us  to  Hiker's  Island,  one  mile  from  Hell  Gate,  and  here, 
being  met  by  the  flood,  we  cast  anchor  to  wait  for  the  ebb, 
which  would  make  at  half  past  seven.  In  the  mean  time 
came  up  a  breeze  from  S.E.  Nothing  could  have  more  per- 
fectly accorded  with  my  wishes,  as  we  must  now  necessarily 
arrive  in  New-York  about  ten  in  the  evening.  However,  as 
the  hour  approached,  the  captain  began  to  doubt  whether  it 
would  not  be  too  dark  to  go  through  Hell  Gate,  and  thought 
it  would  be  more  prudent  to  wait  till  morning.  I  combated 
this  childish  apprehension,  but  without  effect.  Fortunately, 
just  after  the  ebb  made,  there  passed  a  sloop  whose  master 
was  an  acquaintance,  and  he,  declaring  that  it  was  a  good 
time,  and  actually  standing  on,  encouraged  our  captain,  and 
he  weighed  anchor  and  stood  on  also.  When  we  got  to  the 
bluff  point,  where  is  a  wharf  and  a  tavern,  just  at  the  com- 
mencement of  Hell  Gate,  one  out  of  seven  sloops  then  pass- 
ing stopped  at  that  wharf;  the  other  six  went  through  in  our 
sight ;  yet,  as  one  had  stopped,  and  the  daylight  was  nearly 
gone,  though  a  clear,  brilliant  starlight,  our  captain  thought 
there  must  be  danger,  and,  in  spite  of  all  remonstrances,  he 
came  to  at  the  same  wharf.  Had  I  suspected  this,  I  could 
easily  have  got  on  board  one  of  the  other  sloops ;  but  they 


434  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

were  now  all  out  of  sight.  To  add  to  my  chagrin,  there 
came  to  the  wharf  from  the  house  an  old  man,  who  asked  if 
any  of  us  would  walk  up.  The  voice  was  very  familiar  to 
me,  and  I  desired  the  mate,  who  was  near  me,  to  ask  who 
kept  that  tavern.  "  Billy  Mariner,"  says  the  same  voice  ;  a 
fellow  who  had  known  me  familiarly  since  I  was  eight  years 
old.  At  this  moment  there  hove  in  sight  a  very  small  sail- 
boat, standing  down.  The  sloop's  barge  being  alongside, 
I  engaged  two  of  the  men,  for  a  dollar,  to  put  me  on  board 
that  sailboat,  which  was  done,  and  thus  I  found  myself  again 
with  the  prospect  of  arriving  at  the  hour  I  wished.  The 
sailboat  proved  to  be  a  pleasure-boat  belonging  to  two  young 
farmers  of  Long  Island.  They  were  not  bound  to  New- 
York,  but  to  the  Narrows,  but  very  kindly  agreed  to  put  me 
on  shore  in  the  city.  When  we  got  opposite  the  city  the 
wind  wholly  failed  us ;  and  the  tide,  now  very  rapid,  set  us 
over  to  the  Long  Island  shore  ;  and  we,  having  no  oars,  were 
wholly  at  its  mercy.  It  seemed  inevitable  that  I  must  make 
a  voyage  to  the  Narrows,  for  they  could  not  now  get  to  the 
Long  Island  land  so  as  to  set  me  on  shore.  When  we  were 
nearly  opposite  the  Battery  I  heard  the  noise  of  oars,  and 
hailed  ;  was  answered ;  and  I  begged  them  to  come  along- 
side. It  proved  to  be  two  vagabonds  in  a  skiff,  probably  on 
some  thieving  voyage.  They  were  very  happy  to  set  me 
on  shore  in  the  city  for  a  dollar,  and  at  half  past  eleven  I 
was  landed  ;  and  S.  S.  having  given  me  his  address,  66  Wa- 
ter-street, thither  I  went  cheerfully,  and  rejoicing  in  my 
good  fortune.  I  knocked  and  knocked,  but  no  answer.  I 
knocked  still  harder,  supposing  they  were  asleep,  till  one  of 
the  neighbours  opened  a  window  and  told  me  that  nobody 
lived  there.  I  asked  where  lived  Mr.  S.  Of  that  she  knew 
nothing.  I  was  now  to  seek  a  lodging.  But  very  few  houses 
were  open.  Tried  at  two  or  three  taverns,  all  full ;  cruised 
along  the  wharf,  but  could  find  no  place.  It  was  now  mid- 
night, and  nobody  to  be  seen  in  the  street.  To  walk  about 
the  whole  night  would  be  too  fatiguing.  To  have  sat  and 


OF    AARON    BURR.  435 

slept  on  any  stoop  would  have  been  thought  no  hardship  ;  but, 
then,  the  danger  that  the  first  watchman  who  might  pass 
would  take  me  up  as  a  vagrant  arid  carry  me  to  the  watch- 
house,  was  a  denouement  not  at  all  to  my  mind.  I  walked  on, 
thinking  that  in  the  skirts  of  the  town  I  might  meet  at  that 
hour  some  charitable  personne,  who,  for  one  or  two  dollars 
and  1'amour  de  Dieu,  would  give  me  at  least  half  a  bed ;  but 
seeing  in  an  alley  a  light  in  the  cellar  of  a  small  house,  I 
called  and  asked  for  a  lodging ;  was  answered  yes ;  shown 
into  a  small  garret,  where  were  five  men  already  asleep ;  a 
cott  and  sort  of  coverlid  was  given  me.  I  threw  open  the 
window  to  have  air,  lay  down,  and  slept  profoundly  till  six. 
Being  already  dressed,  I  rose,  paid  for  my  lodging  twelve 
cents,  and  sallied  out  to  66  Water-street,  and  there  had  the 
good  luck  to  find  Sam.  alone.  He  led  me  immediately  to 
the  house  of  his  brother  Robert,  and  here  I  am,  in  possession 
of  Sam.'s  room  in  Stone-street,  in  the  city  of  New- York,  on 
this  8th  day  of  June,  anno  dom.  1812.  Just  four  years 
since  we  parted  at  this  very  place. 

FROM    JEREMY    BENTHAM. 

London,  Q.  S.  P.,  January  19,  1811. 

Your  short  note,  dated  30th  December,  1810,  through  M. 
J.,  has  strongly  excited  my  sensibilities.  In  point  of  informa- 
tion from  yourself  it  leaves  a  sad  void,  but  a  void  which,  in 
your  situation,  could  not,  consistently  with  prudence,  be 
filled  up.  You  speak  of  two  or  three  little  notes,  as  written 
to  me  at  so  many  anterior  periods  "  from  this  place"  (Paris). 
Not  one  of  them  have  I  received. 

The  last  communication  received  from  you  was  dated 
Gottenburg,  October  14.  It  was  preceded  by  one  of  Octo- 
ber 2,  1809,  speaking  of  a  "  trunk  or  box  with  books,"  &c., 
as  about  to  come  with  it,  but  which,  unfortunately,  never 
came.  I  forget  by  what  means  came  certain  fragments  of 
journals,  which,  coming  from  the  quarter  they  did,  had  their 

T2 


436  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

value ;  but  they  were  little  in  comparison  of  the  views  of  the 
interior  of  the  microcosm,  which  could  not  be  hazarded. 

I  embrace  this  opportunity  to  send  you  such  letters  from 
Theodosia,  two  in  number,  as  came  hither  since  your  de- 
parture ;  one  dated  Oaks,  April  20,  1809  ;  another  of  two 
sheets,  dated  May  31,  1809.  Being  addressed  to  myself, 
I  opened  them.  I  also  send,  1.  One  directed  "Mr.  Lewis 
de  Sevilly,  care  of  Mr.  George  H.  Edwards,"  marked  (Per- 
nelles)  in  the  corner.  2.  Another  directed  "  M.  L.  Sevilly, 
care  of  Hon.  George  Henry  Edwards,  London."  3.  One 
directed  "Hon.  George  Henry  Edwards."  All  these  un- 
opened. 

In  what  you  say  about  Germany,  you  seem  not  to  be 
aware  that,  in  his  code  for  Bavaria,  Psixon  has  said  much 
about  Dumont's  book  ;  though,  if  there  be  anything  good  in 
it,  he  has  profited  from  it  very  little.  In  a  line  with  Mon- 
tesquieu and  Blackstone,  /.  B.  is  also  mentioned  as  one  of 
the  authoritative  codes  that  have  lately  been  published  at 
Paris.  " Protest  against  Lawgivers"  and  " Fragments  on 
Government"  have  not  either  of  them  been  republished. 
Since  your  departure,  various  works  have  been  put  upon 
the  anvil,  but  none  are  out  yet.  1.  Necessity  of  Parliament- 
ary Reform.  2.  Influence  Analyzed.  3.  Plan  of  Parlia- 
mentary Reform,  with  reasons  for  each  article.  4.  Cate- 
chism of  Parliamentary  Reform  (in  questions  and  answers), 
an  abridgment  of  No.  3,  ready  for  the  press.  5.  Political 
Fallacies  ;  distinguished  into,  Part  L,  Fallacies  of  the  Ins. 
II.,  Do.  of  the  Outs.  III.,  Either  side  Fallacies.  In  Part 
L,  all  the  commonplace  arguments  against  doing  good  are 
gibbeted.  This  last  is  the  only  one  that  contains  much 
chance  of  exciting  general  interest.  In  America — English 
and  Spanish — the  others  might,  perhaps,  in  some  points  be 
thought  applicable.  Evidence  may  perhaps  find  a  Dumont 
in  a  zealous  disciple.  An  Edinburgh  Reviewer,  enlisted 
since  you  were  here,  and  divers  others  (collaborators),  are 
civil  and  serviceable.  He  keeps  plying  Jeffrey  with  articles 


OF    AARON    BURR.  437 

containing  elogia  on  J.  B.,  which  Jeffrey  either  leaves  out 
or  bedevils,  yet  still  grows  civiller  and  civiller.  J.  B.  has 
another  disciple  in  Blanco  White,  who  edits  the  Spanish 
Monthly  Political  Miscellany — El  Espagnol.  He  tells  me 
of  an  individual  (priest)  who  had  formed  a  little  school  in 
Spain  to  preach  to,  upen  Dumont's  book  for  text :  and  from 
hirn^as  well  as  the  Hollands,  I  find  it  has  made  great  sensa- 
tion in  Spain. 

I  send  you,  as  a  curiosity,  a  book  called  "  Elements  of 
Packing,'"  that  has  been  put  into  my  hands.  Romilly,  with- 
out reserve,  approves  of  the  plan  therein  proposed  ;  but  says 
that,  if  it  were  published,  both  author  and  printer  would  be 
presented  as  libellers,  and  convicted. 

A  set  of  people,  chiefly  Quakers,  keep  palavering  me  in 
a  quarterly  publication  called  the  "  Philanthropist,"  which  I 
send.  The  principal  of  them,  William  Allen,  is  a  fine  fel- 
low ;  shopkeeping  chymist,  lecturer  in  chymistry  and  natu- 
ral philosophy  at  the  Royal  Institution  and  Guy's  Hospital, 
ardently  benevolent,  and  increasingly  rich.  Besides  other 
donations,  he  gave  four  thousand  pounds  the  other  day  to- 
wards Lancaster's  school  plans,  which  are  growing  every 
day  in  popularity  and  utility.  An  account  of  the  spoiled 
Panopticon,  at  Edinburgh,  is  translated  from  a  paper  written 
by  Dumont  for  that  purpose.  Perhaps  there  may  not  be 
room  for  this. 

B.  White  preaches  to  the  Cortes  my  ideas,  and  the  pro- 
posed law  which  I  have  been  drawing  up  by  desire  for  an- 
other quarter,  about  the  liberty  of  the  press.  But  they  are 
such  fools  that  many  people,  for  their  own  good,  wish  Bony 
had  them  quietly,  and  I  for  one. 

Thanks  for  your  intended  Code  Napoleon ;  it  is  here  have- 
able,  or  at  least  accessible. 

Should  you  happen  to  come  across  any  of  the  Rochefou- 
cault  family,  especially  the  head  of  it,  assure  them  of  my 
respectful  and  affectionate  remembrances. 

If  you  see  any  of  the  De  Lessert  family  (now  a  ci-devant 


438  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

great  banquier),  greet  them  in  my  name.  Worship  for  me 
Madame  Gautier,  who  is  one  of  them.  Tell  them  the  Rom- 
lllys  are  all  well  and  flourishing.  Doubts  whether  Romilly 
is  or  is  not  to  be  chancellor. 

If  you  come  across  Dr.  Swediaur,  an  eminent  German 
physician,  who  now  or  once  lived  in  the  Rue  Jacob,  tell 
him  that  the  books  he  wrote  for  were  packed  up  at  the  yme 
by  Callow  (a  bookseller),  at  whose  house  they  lie,  it  is  sup- 
posed, still  ready  for  him ;  but  the  person*  of  whom  it  was 
expected  they  would  take  them,  declined  it.  Swediaur  will 
not  be  sorry  to  hear  tidings  of  me,  i.  e.,  if  alive,  for  he  was 
a  man  about  my  age. 

For  my  part,  I  am  as  well  in  general  health  as  when  you 
saw  me  last,  and  my  eyes  somewhat  better. 

To  know  that  you  were  in  any  situation  that  would  turn 
talents  such  as  yours  to  the  benefit  of  any  considerable  part 
of  mankind  would  afford  me  the  most  heartfelt  pleasure.  In 
any  other  I  should  have  said,  on  the  opposite  expectation,  I 
cannot  even  profess  to  give  you  any  good  wishes.  For  the 
trade  of  throat-cutting  I  cannot  see  any  openings.  Cab- 
bage-planting would  be  better,  if,  haply,  any  ground  were  to 
be  got  for  it. 

I  wonder  whether  Theodosia  perseveres  in  her  intended 
translation.  No  such  thing  is  yet  going  forward  here.  Two 
attempts  have  been  progressed  in  considerably,  but  ultimate- 
ly given  up,  and,  because  by  inept  hands,  happily. 

Do  not  be  immoderately  surprised  if  you  should  hear  from 
or  of  me  one  of  these  days  from  some  distant  quarter  of  the 
globe.  There  exist  climates  preferable  to  that  of  Mexico. 
Jovellanos,  through  Lord  Holland,  gave  me  a  civil  put-off. 
A  temperate  climate  is  rendered  matter  of  less  necessity  to 
me  since  my  brother  filled  up  my  workshop  upon  the  prin- 
ciple of  a  floreal  conservatory.  It  has  been  much  more 
than  a  conservatory  to  my  comfort  and  recreation.  What  a 
delight  it  would  be  to  me  to  meet  you  anywhere,  supposing 
you  there  upon  any  such  errand  as  I  should  call  a  good 


OF    AARON    BURR.  439 

one !  I  do  believe  that,  of  the  regard  you  have  all  along 
professed  for  me,  no  inconsiderable  part  is  true.  But  a  man 
must  have  his  eyes  well  about  him  when  he  has  to  deal  with 
leaders  of  factions  and  professed  men-catchers. 

JEREMY  BENTHAM 

FROM  THEODOSIA. 

Seashore  (S.  C.),  July  12,  1812. 

A  few  miserable  days  past,  my  dear  father,  and  your  late 
letters  would  have  gladdened  my  soul ;  and  even  now  I  re- 
joice at  their  contents  as  much  as  it  is  possible  for  me  to 
rejoice  at  anything ;  but  there  is  no  more  joy  for  me  ;  the 
world  is  a  blank.  I  have  lost  my  boy.  My  child  is  gone 
for  ever.  He  expired  on  the  30th  of  June. 

My  head  is  not  now  sufficiently  collected  to  say  anything 
further.  May  Heaven,  by  other  blessings,  make  you  some 
amends  for  the  noble  grandson, you  have  lost. 

THEODOSIA. 

FROM  THEODOSIA. 

Seashore  (S.  C.),  August  12,  1812. 

Alas  !  my  dear  father,  I  do  live,  but  how  does  it  happen  ? 
Of  what  am  I  formed  that  I  live,  and  why  ?  Of  what  ser- 
vice can  I  be  in  this  world,  either  to  you  or  any  one  else, 
with  a  body  reduced  to  premature  old  age,  and  a  mind  en- 
feebled and  bewildered  ?  Yet,  since  it  is  my  lot  to  live,  I 
will  endeavour  to  fulfil  my  part,  and  exert  myself  to  my  ut- 
most, though  this  life  must  henceforth  be  to  me  a  bed  of 
thorns.  Whichever  way  I  turn,  the  same  anguish  still  as- 
sails me.  You  talk  of  consolation.  Ah!  you  know  not 
what  you  have  lost.  I  think  Omnipotence  could  give  me 
no  equivalent  for  my  boy ;  no,  none — none. 

I  wish  to  see  you,  and  will  leave  this  as  soon  as  possible, 
though  not  so  soon  as  you  propose.  I  could  not  go  alone 
by  land,  for  our  coachman  is  a  great  drunkard,  and  requires 

the  presence  of  a  master ;  and  my  husband  is  obliged  to 
VOL.  II.  28 


440  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

wait  for  a  military  court  of  inquiry,  which  he  demanded,  and 
is  ordered  on  him.  It  will  sit  on  the  10th  of  August.  How 
long  it  will  be  in  session  I  know  not.  After  that  we  shall 
set  off,  though  I  do  not  perceive  how  it  is  possible  to  speak 
with  certainty,  because  Mr.  Alston  has  the  command  of  a 
brigade  here.  When  we  do  go,  he  thinks  of  going  by  wa- 
ter, but  is  not  determined.  It  will  probably  be  late  in  Au 
gust  before  we  go.  God  bless  you,  my  beloved  father. 
Write  to  me  sometimes.  What  do  you  "wish  done  with 
your  papers  if  I  should  go  by  land  ? 

I  have  been  reading  your  letter  over  again.  I  am  not  in 
sensible  to  your  affection,  nor  quite  unworthy  of  it,  though 
I  can  offer  nothing  in  return  but  the  love  of  a  broken,  dead- 
ened heart,  still  desirous  of  promoting  your  happiness,  if 
possible.  God  bless  you.  THEODOSIA. 

FROM  MRS.  L******. 

Philadelphia,  July  29, 1812. 

In  the  month  of  March,  1809,  setting  one  gloomy  day 
before  the  fire,  turning  over  the  leaves  of  an  English  peri- 
odical work,  in  which  was  an  account  of  the  fabric  of  cer- 
tain ornamental  articles  then  in  vogue,  the  idea  of  making 
artificial  flowers  suggested  itself ;  and  I  observed  to  a  gen- 
tleman who  was  in  the  room,  that,  if  I  knew  how  to  die, 
I  could  make  artificial  flowers,  the  sale  of  which  might 
greatly  contribute  to  my  support;  for  my  literary  efforts 
had  been  so  unproductive  of  emolument,  that  I  received  only 
one  hundred  dollars  for  " Laura"  though  even  my  self-love, 
inordinate  as  it  may  be,  was  amply  satisfied  by  the  praises 
bestowed  on  that  little  work. 

The  gentleman  replied  that,  from  his  knowledge  of  chym- 
istry  and  the  theory  of  colours,  he  could  probably  assist  me. 
Everything  requisite  was  immediately  procured,  and  I  moved 
to  a  house  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Gray's  Ferry,  where  I 
had  lived  the  preceding  autumn.  Here  the  first  experiments 


OF   AARON    BURR.  441 

were  made,  and  they  proved  so  satisfactory  that  it  was 
thought  justifiable  to  try  them  on  a  larger  scale. 

For  this  purpose  a  house  was  necessary,  and  the  country 
for  several  miles  round  was  explored  without  offering  one 
that  suited.  At  length,  after  seeking  afar  in  vain,  one  was 
found  much  nearer.  In  the  village  of  Hamilton,  which  stands 
on  the  hills  that  rise  about  a  mile  west  of  the  Schuylkill, 
was  a  neat  and. elegant  house  imbosomed  in  trees;  larger, 
indeed,  than  was  absolutely  necessary,  but,  from  having  been 
long  untenanted,  was  cheap.  It  was  accordingly  engaged. 
With  some  articles  of  furniture  that  had  been  saved  from 
various  wrecks,  and  a  capital  of  twenty  dollars,  I  began  my 
establishment. 

Mr. lodged  at  a  tavern  on  the  other  side  of  the  road, 

and  passed  some  time  with  me  every  day,  which  was  em- 
ployed in  acquiring  the  knowledge  wanting  to  perfect  my 
little  plan. 

Chaptal,  Fourcroi,  Lavoisier,  Accum,  all  the  great  chym- 
ists  lent  their  aid.  Every  repository  of  arts  and  sciences 
was  ransacked.  Every  treatise  on  dying  consulted.  The 
house  was  filled  with  retorts,  alembics,  chafing-dishes,  drugs, 
and  diestuffs. 

Owing  to  the  interruption  of  commerce  at  that  period,  arti- 
ficial flowers  were  very  scarce,  and  the  sale  of  the  first  I 
made,  though  of  very  inferior  quality,  was  so  encouraging, 
that  I  engaged  two  young  girls  as  assistants.  The  summer 
passed  on  in  continued  experiments  and  unremitted  industry. 
The  little  manufactory  had  in  autumn  made  rapid  progress 
towards  perfection,  and  acquired  some  celebrity.  But  the 
returns  bore  so  little  proportion  to  the  expenditure,  that  the 
establishment  must  have  fallen  into  ruin  had  not  foreign  aid 
contributed  to  its  support. 

A  gentleman,  the  only  friend  of ,  the  only  man  who 

has  stood  the  test  of  his  late  misfortunes,  after  having  vainly 
tried  every  possible  means  of  procuring  him  a  place  in  which 
his  talents  might  have  been  exerted  to  advantage,  having 


442  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

learned  the  details  of  the  pursuit  in  which  he  was  engaged, 
and  thinking  it  worth  continuing,  lent  him  a  thousand  dollars. 
This  removed  the  pressure  of  some  old  debts,  and  gave  vig- 
our to  the  manufactory.  During  the  winter  its  success  was 
so  great,  that  in  the  spring  there  were  eight  young  girls  and 
two  boys  employed.  Comforts  accumulated,  and  all  in  the 
house  was  life  and  activity. 

The  tables  were  covered  with  brilliant  imitations  of  the 
most  beautiful  productions  of  nature  ;  the  cheerful  voices  of 
the  girls  mingled  with  the  sound  of  the  little  hammer  on  the 
leaden  anvils,  and  taste  and  elegance  seemed  to  have  taken 
up  their  abode  in  our  dwelling. 

Three  years  have  now  elapsed,  and  one  great  object  of 
industry  has  crowned  my  efforts,  the  attainment  of  perfec- 
tion. At  least,  the  flowers  I  make  yield  not,  except  in  their 
infinite  variety,  to  those  imported  from  France.  But,  how- 
ever agreeable  this  pursuit,  the  profits  arising  from  it  have 
been  anticipated  by  its  increasing  magnitude ;  and  without 
further  assistance  obtained  from  the  hand  before  alluded  to, 

and  sums  produced  by  the  literary  labours  of ,  it  could 

not  have  held  out.     The  vice  that  saps  it  is  want  of  capital, 
and  it  is  surprising  how  it  has  so  long  resisted. 

For  myself,  I  owe  it  three  years  of  a  novel  existence  ;  and 
a  new  celebrity  which  has,  in  some  measure,  consigned  to 
oblivion  that  which  marked  the  earlier  part  of  my  career. 
What  I  have  gained  on  the  score  of  happiness  must  be  re- 
served for  your  private  ear. 

When  the  charter  of  the  Bank  of  the  United  States*  was 
about  to  expire,  and  the  question  agitated  the  public  mind, 
your  friend,  Dr.  Bollman,  employed  his  leisure  in  writing  a 
pamphlet  on  that  subject.  It  was  received  with  great  eclat, 
went  through  two  or  three  editions,  but  produced  him,  I  be- 
lieve, very  little  profit. 

His  attention,  I  learn,  was  next  directed  to  the  Report 
of  the  Bullion  Committee  in  London ;  and  hs  addressed,  on 
*  This  has  reference  to  the  first  Bank  of  the  United  States. 


OF    AARON    BURR.  443 

that  subject,  a  letter  to  Alexander  Baring,  which  letter  he 
showed  to  Mr.  Walsh,  editor  of  the  American  Review,  who 
was  so  much  pleased  with  it  that  he  fairly  escamoted  it  into 
his  next  number.  It  was  received  with  great  applause,  of 
which  Mr.  Walsh  took  to  himself  rather  more  than  was  his 
due.  The  doctor  sent  it  in  manuscript  to  Baring,  from 
whom  he  received  a  very  flattering  answer.  But  the  mem- 
bers of  the  committee  arid  the  literary  characters  have  of- 
fered encomiums  to  Mr.  Walsh,  who,  intoxicated  with  the 
incense,  kept  it  all  to  himself. 

Last  winter  Dr.  Bollman  met  with  the  very  great  mis- 
fortune of  breaking  his  right  arm  between  the  elbow  and  the 
wrist;  and  it  was  so  unskilfully  set  that  it  is  still  very 
doubtful  whether  it  will  ever  again  be  strong.  This  terrible 
accident  threatened  a  long  suspension  of  his  literary  labours  ; 
but,  after  the  first  anguish  a  little  subsided,  he  tried  to  write 
with  his  left  hand,  and  succeeded  perfectly.  At  this  time 
the  persons  interested  in  the  bank  entertained  hopes  of  ob- 
taining a  charter  from  the  state  legislature ;  and  the  presi- 
dent and  directors  addressed  themselves  to  Dr.  Bollman, 
who,  with  his  left  hand,  wrote  a  pamphlet  on  the  subject,  for 
which  he  received  a  satisfactory  compensation.  The  bank, 
however,  did  not  obtain  a  charter;  and  Stephen  Girard  has 
since,  as  I  suppose  you  have  learned,  bought  the  banking- 
house  and  turned  banker;  but  he  is,  in  the  midst  of  his 
wealth,  a  miserable  animal. 

The  whole  body  of  bankrupts,  amounting  to  seven  hun- 
dred, next  addressed  themselves  to  Bollman,  requesting 
him  to  second  their  efforts  to  procure  a  favourable  bankrupt 
law.  He  wrote  detached  pieces  in  a  popular  style,  which 
were  printed  in  newspapers ;  but  this  was  in  the  service  of 
bankrupts,  and  produced  him  nothing. 

Dr.  Bollman  wrote  for  the  American  Review  "  Thoughts 
on  Finance  ;"  a  system  regulating  the  circulating  medium  of 
the  United  States  ;  and,  "  Thoughts  on  the  Embargo."  He 
has  recently  prepared  for  the  same  periodical  a  review  of, 


444  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

and  extracts  from,  a  French  book,  published  lately  in  Lon- 
don by  Sir  Francis  d'lvernois,  called  "  Napoleon,  Adminis- 
trateuret  Financier." 

The  editor  of  the  American  Review  derives  from  it  about 
four  thousand  dollars  a  year,  and  yet  will  scarcely  part  with 
as  many  hundreds  for  contributions  which  certainly  form  the 
very  essence  of  the  publication.  Moreover,  having  married 
the  daughter  and  only  child  of  Jasper  Moylan,  he  has,  by 
the  death  of  that  gentleman,  stepped  into  a  large  estate.  He 
is  young ;  he  is  well  acquainted  with  the  embarrassments 
and  misfortunes  of  Dr.  Bollman  ;  he  profits  by  his  talents ; 
he  knows  his  worth  ;  yet,  though  very  liberal  in  promises, 
he  has  very  slightly  indeed  rewarded  his  pains.  What  do 
you  think  of  his  heart?  As  for  his  head,  its  contents  reach 
not  beyond  mediocrity.  What  a  pity  that  he  should  draw  the 
profound  from  a  better  head  at  so  cheap  a  rate. 

This  flower  manufactory  gives  weight.  Its  worth  is 
known.  Loans  have  been  procured  on  it.  Credits  of  fif- 
teen hundred  dollars  at  one  bank,  of  six  hundred  at  another, 
have  been  had.  But,  as  I  before  observed,  all  this  is  swal- 
lowed up  before  it  is  obtained.  The  tools  and  fixtures  cost 
from  fifteen  hundred  to  two  thousand  dollars,  and  the  hands 
employed  required  much  training  ere  they  were  sufficiently 
formed  to  be  very  useful. 

If  ever  I  get  into  smooth  water,  I  shall  laugh  at  the  rec- 
ollection of  my  discomfitures.  At  present  they  disturb  my 
peace,  and  almost  destroy  my  faculties. 

I  am  sure,  my  dear  friend,  when  you  see  me  in  the  midst 
of  my  flock  of  girls,  all  rather  pretty,  from  eight  to  eighteen 
years  of  age,  you  will  be  proud  of  me  ;  proud  of  having  dis- 
covered the  germe  of  those  talents  that  have  borne  me 
through  so  many  vicissitudes.  And  I  should  wish  no  greater 
happiness,  since  you  have  returned,  and  the  hope  of  seeing 
you  may  be  indulged,  than  the  continuance  of  this  pursuit, 
which  is  more  like  an  amusement  than  the  drudgery  of 
business,  and  has  given  me  the  means  of  rendering  happy 


OF    AARON    BURR.  445 

so  many  young  creatures,  who,  in  return,  repay  me  with 
their  love. 

As  for  your  friend  Dr.  Bollman,  I  understand  the  extent 
of  his  wishes  to  be  an  employment  by  which  he  might  gain 
fifteen  hundred,  or  even  a  thousand  dollars  a  year.  An  ap- 
plication was  made  to  him  to  translate  the  remainder  of 
Humboldt's  Travels  in  New  Spain,  but  I  believe  the  appli- 
cants were  too  poor  to  be  treated  with.  He  offered  to  trans- 
late and  condense  that  work  into  one  volume,  which,  stripped 
of  its  abstruse  parts,  would  be  adapted  to  popular  capacity. 
But,  in  these  times  of  war,  the  people  will  either  fight  or 
groan,  and,  consequently,  have  no  time  for  reading. 

Reflect  on  these  details  for  a  moment,  my  dear  friend, 
and  think  of  the  happiness  I  may  still  enjoy,  if  near  you,  in 
some  of  those  oldfashioned  houses  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
New-York.  Old  Stuyvesant's,  where  Mrs.  Langworthy 
lived,  or  some  such  place.  I  could  supply  the  city,  and 
Albany,  and  Poughkeepsie  with  flowers.  Large  quantities 
have  been  sent  from  here  to  those  places.  You  know  in 
France  they  are  an  important  article  of  commerce  ;  and  even 
in  England  I  have  been  told  that  those  who  manufacture 
them  acquire  large  fortunes.  Think,  also,  my  dear  friend, 
of  the  pleasure  you  would  derive  from  the  talents,  the  con- 
versation, the  energy  of ,  and  rescue  him  from  the  mor- 
tification with  which  poverty  and  its  attendant,  neglect, 
have  imbittered  his  life. 

When  I  consider  the  miscreants  that  your  goodness  has 
raised,  your  bounty  fed,  I  think  it  impossible  that  the  power, 
which  I  am  sure  you  would  so  joyfully  exert,  should  be  with- 
held of  raising  to  distinction  one  so  deserving.  Those  de- 
lightful hours  of  soul-felt  intercourse  might  then  again  re- 
turn, when,  unbending  from  the  severe  duties  of  society,  I 
was  the  soft  green  of  the  soul  on  which  you  loved  to  re- 
pose ;  and  if,  by  enjoying,  I  can  impart  happiness  so  exqui- 
site, my  heart,  my  disposition,  my  feelings,  my  affections  are 


446  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

still  the  same ;  glowing  with  the  same  warmth,  animated 
with  the  same  ardour. 

Had  I  been  the  wife  of  a  prince  or  a  king.  I  should  have 
flown  to  you  as  soon  as  your  arrival  was  announced,  bon- 
gre  malgre  the  royal  permission.  But  you  wiU  readily 
conceive  how  much  I  am  the  soul  of  this  establishment. 
So  much  so  am  I,  that  though  the  city  lays  before  me  as  if 
it  was  painted  on  a  map,  I  am  often  several  months  without 
going  to  it,  and  am  very  seldom  absent  an  hour.  In  August 
I  shall  give  a  short  vacation,  and  will  fly  anywhere  to  meet 
you,  though  even  for  a  moment. 

You  must  expect,  my  dear  friend,  to  see  me  somewhat 
changed.  Not  the  morale — that  is  unalterable  ;  but  the  phy- 
sique has  acquired  a  great  accession  of  em  bon  point,  which, 
owing  to  my  height,  distributes  itself  pretty  well,  so  that  the 
proportions  are  not  lost,  but  the  scale  considerably  enlarged. 
But  this  at  the  first  interview  you  will  not  perceive,  nor 
anything  but  a  devoted  creature  irradiated  with  joy.  Oh,  I 
knew  this  hour  would  come.  During  your  absence  it  was 
strongly  impressed  on  my  mind.  In  my  dreams  I  have  be- 
held you  looking  benignantly  at  me ;  and  something  whis- 
pered to  my  heart  that  at  length  the  hour,  with  feeling  fraught, 
would  be  given  me ;  that  again  in  your  presence  I  should 
feel  that  unmixed  delight  which  from  you  only  I  have  re- 
ceived— the  happiness  attending  the  most  pure,  most  ardent, 
most  exalted  friendship. 

You  receive  now  the  prominent  features  of  my  situation. 
Many  are  the  shades.  The  trifles  which  enliven  or  embel- 
lish it  will  form  a  corps  de  reserve  for  your  amusement 
when  we  meet.  In  the  mean  time  I  commend  myself  to 
your  thoughts ;  but,  above  all,  I  wish  to  fix  your  attention 
on  the  sufferings  of  L. 


OF  AARON  BURR.  447 


FROM  JEREMY  BENTHAM. 

London,  Q.  S.  P.,  February  23,  1816. 

I  am  still  alive;  I  hope  you  are.  I  am  in  good  health 
and  spirits  ;  I  hope,  by  this  time,  so  are  you.  I  promised  to 
write  to  you  from  hence.  Not  two  days  together  has  my 
promise  been  ever  out  of  my  mind.  But  when  or  how  to 
fulfil  it  ?  Once  I  was  setting  about  it,  then  came  a  report 
that  you  were  dead.  True  or  not  true,  but  t'other  day  I 
heard  that  the  report  was  at  any  rate  groundless,  so  now  I 
take  my  chance. 

Some  time  ago,  three  or  four  American  books  came  to 
me  from  you,  with  a  letter.  I  took  it  kindly  of  you,  this  re- 
membrance ;  but  grievous  was  my  disappointment  at  not 
finding  Blodget  among  them.  Ever  since  your  departure  I 
have  been  trying  in  vain  to  get  it.  Don't  you  trouble  your 
self,  however,  about  it  now  ;  for  I  have  doubtless  the  means, 
viz.,  by  a  nephew  of  Cobbett,  who,  with  a  friend,  is  going 
to  set  up  a  printing-office  at  Philadelphia.  Is  it  not  princi- 
pally for  reprinting  his  weekly  periodical  work  (Political 
Register)  as  it  comes  out  ? 

Grievous  was  my  vexation  at  not  being  able  to  do,  but  in 
so  imperfect  a  manner,  what  you  seemed  so  desirous  of  in 
relation  to  the  return  of  some  of  your  letters.  Just  at  that 
time  there  was,  in  the  room  of  your  friend  Ann,  a  very  stu- 
pid female.  At  the  same  time  that  I  missed  those  letters  of 
yours  I  missed  some  papers  of  mine,  the  loss  of  which  was 
very  distressing  to  me.  I  do  believe  the  creature  took  them 
to  light  fires  with.  She  was  soon  after  packed  off,  and  Ann 
reinstated  in  her  place,  where  she  still  continues. 

The  time  is  extremely  short.  I  know  not  what  1  shall 
be  able  to  send  you  of  things  of  mine  printed.  You  saw 
everything,  small  or  imperfect,  stopped  by  some  incident  or 
other,  some  coincidence  or  another,  for  I  have  always,  un- 
less it  be  for  my  own  amusement,  too  many  irons  in  the  fire. 
I  have  at  least  got  one  spare  copy  of  that  thing  which  you 


448  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

were  so  eager  to  have  another  copy  of,  in  addition  to  the  one 
you  said  you  had  lost.  I  do  not  know  whether  I  will  send 
it  to  you.  I  would  if  I  was  sure  of  your  giving  it  publicity 
there.  But  how  can  I  when  I  am  not  sure  of  your  being 
alive?  and  perhaps,  by  this  time,  if  alive,  you  may  be  not 
only  grieving  or  wincing  for  the  one  thing  needful,  but  in- 
different to  everything  else.  I  looked  to  see  your  name  at 
the  head  of  some  of  the  heroes  assisting  the  Spanish  Ameri- 
cans, and,  not  finding  it,  I  concluded  that had  put  empire 

out  of  your  head. 

When  you  left  me  I  was,  as  I  apprehended,  at  the  eve  of 
a  comparative  ruin ;  singing  nos  dulcia  linquimus  ava,  nos  pa- 
triam  fugimus,  meaning  Q.  S.  P.,  though  after  disappoint- 
ments many  and  grievous,  here  I  am,  in  a  state  of  compara- 
tive prosperity,  in  loved  Q.  S.  P.,  as  whilom. 

In  Devonshire,  Ford  Abbey,  not  as  boarder,  but  as  house- 
keeper, and  have  furnished  a  house  uniting  antique  with 
modern  magnificence ;  garden  picturesque  and  luxurious ; 
servants,  viz.,  for  the  gardens,  for  so  small  a  person,  numer- 
ous ;  neighbours  cordial,  though  unvisited  ;  Barrow  Green  a 
doghole  to  it.  Tormentors  at  the  Abbey  half  the  year,  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Mill,  with  their  five  children  ;  at  Q.  S.  P.,  H.  Koe 
and  his  wife,  a  very  amiable  person  (reading  everything  I 
write  or  read),  with  a  child  upon  the  stocks. 

Gallatin,  when  here,  expressed  a  desire  to  see  me.  They 
told  him  he  could  not,  as  I  saw  nobody.  Hearing  of  this,  I 
called  on  him.  He  told  me  he  considered  me  as  his  master  in 
the  art  of  legislation.  I  told  him  of  my  wish  to  codify  for 
the  United  States  or  any  of  them.  He  told  me  how  the  land 
lay  in  that  respect  in  the  different  states,  and  of  a  scheme 
he  had  had  for  that  purpose,  and  taken  steps  towards  the  ex- 
ecution of  it.  Pennsylvania  (where  his  own  property  is)  he 
mentioned  as  being  one  of  the  likeliest.  I  asked  him 
whether  he  had  any  objection  to  say  in  black  and  white,  to 
persons  capable  of  forwarding  the  matter,  every  part  of  what 
he  had  been  saying  viva  voce.  None  whatever ;  thereupon 


OF  AARON  BURR.  449 

he  sent  me  a  letter,  highly  recommendatory,  for  me  to  send 
to  Snyder  (or  some  such  name,  no  time  for  turning  to  pa- 
pers), then  governor.  Asking  him  about  books  giving  an 
account  of  United  States  finances.  He  knew  of  none  pub- 
lished, but  he  happened  to  have  a  spare  copy  of  some  offi- 
cial one,  never  published.  He  had  taken  it  to  Russia,  and 
would  have  left  it  there  could  he  have  found  any  men  there 
capable  of  profiting  by  it,  and  he  has  found  one.  It  was 
with  his  papers  at  Ghent,  and  from  thence  he  would  send  it 
to  me.  Along  with  his  letter  I  sent  to  Snyder  a  copy  of 
every  work  of  mine  I  could  procure  from  any  of  my  friends, 
most  being  either  out  of  print  or  unpublished,  together  with 
a  letter  stating  conversations  between  myself  and  Gallatin. 
The  books  went  from  some  port  in  this  island.  Not  being 
able  to  find  any  conveyance  for  the  epistles,  viz.,  J.  Ben- 
tham  to  Snyder  and  Gallatin  to  J.  Bentham,  H.  Koe,  when 
I  was  at  the  Abbey,  addressed  it  to  Gallatin,  with  a  letter, 
saying  he  could  find  no  other  more  promising  mode  of  con- 
veyance. Of  this  letter,  when  he  was  afterward  in  London 
(I  in  London  likewise),  he  acknowledged  the  receipt  to 
Romilly  (whose  letter  I  now  have  on  the  subject)  and  others, 
but  never  did. 

As  to  the  not  sending  the  finance  papers,  he  said  that, 
after  the  burning  of  Washington,  there  might  perhaps  be  a 
demand  for  the  spare  copy  for  the  service  of  the  state,  under 
which  circumstance  it  was  not  proper  he  should  part  with 
them.  This  seemed  reasonable.  But  how  he  came  to  shy 
me,  and  leave  me  thus  in  the  dark,  I  cannot  imagine.  The 
packet  for  Gov.  Snyder ;  did  he  open  it,  take  out  his  own 
letter,  read  mine,  in  which  I  had  said  nothing  of  his  conver- 
sations with  me  that  was  not  strictly  true,  nor  had  he  en- 
joined me  secrecy  about  any  one  thing  ?  Had  the  state  ot 
affairs  in  Philadelphia  undergone  any  change  ?  Would  he 
ask  ministerial  people  about  me,  and  accept  vague  vitupera- 
tion as  true  character,  and  true  for  the  purpose  of  extinguish- 
ing such  a  scheme  ?  By-the-by,  I  think  (yes,  I  certainly 


450  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

did)  I  mentioned  to  him  my  scheme  of  codifying  for  Russia, 
and  obtained  permission  from  him  to  make  some  letters  of 
his  to  me  subservient  to  it.  * 

Never  did  1  meet  with  any  man  in  appearance  more  re- 
spectable and  trustworthy.  I  brought  him  to  Mill,  and  Mill 
was  quite  charmed  with  him.  From  Romilly,  Dumont, 
&c.,  he  could  not  have  heard  of  anything  but  what  would 
have  justified  any  confidence  he  could  have  had  occasion  to 
repose  in  me. 

Some  eight  or  ten  months  ago,  Prince  Adam  Czartoriski 
applied  to  me  to  assist  Poland  in  codification.  It  was  then, 
and  till  very  lately,  universally  understood  that  he  was  to  be 
viceroy  ;  and  in  his  conversation,  though  he  did  not  say  so,  it 
seemed  to  be  implied.  Before  this  I  had  written  to  the  Em- 
peror Alexander,  offering  my  services  in  this  line  on  condi- 
tion of  their  being  altogether  gratuitous. 

After  I  had  seen  the  prince  came  a  gracious  answer,  in 
the  emperor's  own  hand,  accepting  my  offer,  saying  he  had 
sent  orders  to  his  people  to  consult  me,  and  desiring  my  ac- 
ceptance of  a  "  souvenir."  In  a  letter  to  a  friend  of  mine, 
which  I  saw,  Count  Capo  d'Istria,  who  was  then  in  attend- 
ance about  him,  said  the  souvenir  was  a  "  baque  de  prix." 
In  a  long  answer,  I  sent  him  back  the  ring  in  the  packet  as 
it  came,  with  the  imperial  seal  unbroken,  telling  him  that, 
after  what  I  had  said,  I  could  not  accept  of  anything  in  any 
shape,  and  that,  in  comparison  of  such  a  letter  from  him,  all 
such  things  as  rings  were  without  value  in  my  eyes. 

As  to  his  people  consulting  with  me,  I  was  sure  they 
would  do  no  such  thing;  that  the  man  he  meant  (Rosen- 
kampt),  I  did  not  name  him,  was  jealous,  and  would  turn 
pale  at  my  name.  That  he  might  be  fit  for  collecting  ma- 
terials, but  was  but  too  well  known  to  be  useful  for  anything 
better.  That  what  he  ought  to  do  was  to  invite  competition, 
and  I  showed  him  line  and  line  of  a  scheme  which  had  cost 
about  200,000  roubles  a  year  in  salaries  without  producing 
any  benefit.  He  might  establish  at  Petersburgh  or  War 


OF    AARON    BURR.  451 

saw,  or  in  both  places,  a  permanent  school  of  legislation 
with  scarce  any  expense.  Of  this  letter  I  sent  a  copy  to 
the  prince,  telling  him  I  knew  very  well  he  was  in  earnest, 
and  glad  I  should  be  to  find  other  people  so  too.  From 
Czartoriski  I  did  not  expect  an  answer  till  his  viceroyalty 
was  settled.  About  a  month  ago,  being  at  my  hobby-place, 
came  newspapers,  with  a  list  of  sub-potentates  appointed  at 
Warsaw,  and,  instead  of  Czartoriski,  a  man  that  nobody  had 
ever  heard  of.  A  man  with  whom  I  am  intimate,  and  whom 
I  will  not  name  for  fear  of  accidents,  knowing  the  person 
most  perfectly,  and  knowing  the  whole  matter,  said  he  was 
not  at  all  surprised.  Every  man  who  had  ever  placed  any 
confidence  in  him  was  deceived  by  him.  That  his  head 
and  heart  were  upon  a  par  ;  not  but  that  the  fault  lay  most 
in  the  head.  That  the  man  who  happened  at  the  time  to 
be  at  his  elbow  (he  might  have  added,  or  the  woman,  espe- 
cially if  an  impostor,  pretending  to  be  a  bigot),  was  at  all 
times  mover  of  his  resolutions.  And,  to  tell  the  truth,  I  had 
been  seriously  blamed  beforehand  for  taking  any  sort  of 
trouble  on  the  supposition  that  any  possible  good  could  come 
out  of  him.  But  Czartoriski,  I  understood,  was  always  at 
his  elbow,  and  it  was  in  him  I  put  my  trust. 

If  Christomorthen  comes  to  you  (it  will  be  fragmentical, 
it  being  now  still  on  its  way  through  the  press),  know  that 
the  principal  persons  of  name  engaged  are  Brougham,  Sir 
J.  Mackintosh,  and,  I  hope,  Romilly,  your  friend  A.,  &c.  I 
will  not  be  of  the  number  of  the  managers,  but  Mill  will, 
and  others  on  whom  he  and  I  think  we  can  depend  for  not 
spoiling  it. 

I  furnish  ground  for  it  which  they  could  not  get  elsewhere, 
viz.,  a  part  of  Q.  S.  P.  garden,  gratis,  and  some  money  be- 
sides. I  have  some  thoughts  of  sending  to  Cobbett's  own 
house  a  copy  of  Park,  with  a  request  to  ask  you  whether 
you  will  procure  from  New- York  an  engagement  from  any 
person  to  reprint  it  without  profit  or  loss  to  me  ;  and  if  you 


452  PRIVATE    JOURNAL 

do  by  a  certain  time,  then  to  send  it  you ;  otherwise  to  be 
at  liberty  to  print  it  himself. 

Do  what  you  will  about  Christomorthen,  only  do  not  men- 
tion any  of  the  above  names,  the  matter  not  being  as  yet 
settled.  Great  would  be  my  satisfaction  to  find  that  you 
are  still  good  for  anything.  I  had  little  expectation  of  con- 
tinuing so  thus  long,  at  my  time  -of  life  :  68  the  fifteenth  of 
this  month.  My  abbey  has  a  court,  in  which  I  play  every 
morning  at  fives  (beating  a  boy  of  eighteen)  instead  of  ta- 
king physic. 

I  have  in  print  some  copies  of  my  letter  to  President 
Madison ;  not  yet  distributed  any  of  them,  so  much  as  to  in- 
timates. I  know  not  whether  it  is  exactly  as  you  saw  it.  I 
think  I  showed  it  (whether  in  print  or  manuscript,  I  forget) 
to  Gallatin.  I  should  have  sent  you  a  copy,  but  that  I  think 
of  adding  some  account  of  my  transactions  with  Gallatin, 
including  his  letter  in  my  behalf  to  Governor  Snyder,  which 
he  gave  me  open  that  I  might  see  it,  mentioning  his  name 
always  with  respect,  but  with  expressions  mingled  with  sur- 
prise and  regret.  Before  I  printed  this  letter  to  President 
Madison,  I  sent  it  in  manuscript,  all  but  a  page  or  two,  to 
Lord  Sidmouth,  secretary  for  home  department,  who  had 
been  so  openly  declared  an  admirer  of  Dumont's  book.  He 
acknowledged  in  black  and  white.  Being  a  man  of  whom  it 
is  said  that  he  does  nothing  of  his  own  opinion,  I  think  it  not 
improbable  that  he  may  have  hoped,  with  the  rest  of  the 
humbugs,  to  whom  I  am  in  the  highest  degree  obnoxious,  for 
the  injuries  they  and  their  predecessors  have  done  me ;  and 
it  is  nothing  but  natural  that  they  should  have  given  it  in 
charge  to  open  everything  of  mine  to  the  diplomatic  men  in 
all  places. 

Gallatin  could  not  but  be  aware  of  this.  Is  it  possible 
that  he  should  have  been  efficiently  influenced  by  vague  vi- 
tuperation, and  not  apply  to  any  one  of  my  friends  to  learn 
whether,  if  any  vituperation  was  uttered,  there  was  any 
ground  for  it  ?  To  my  account  of  my  transactions  with  Gal- 


OF    AARON    BURR.  453 

jaun  I  shall  probably  add  ditto  with  emperor  and  Czarto- 
riski.     Kosciusko,  I  am  informed,  is  without  hopes. 

If  you  are  good  for  anything,  try  to  set  up  Chrislomor- 
then  at  New- York.  Depend,  in  that  case,  OR  every  assist- 
ance in  my  power. 

JERISMY  BSNTWO* 


THE    END. 


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